Writing the first draft of your TOK May 2026 essay is only half the journey. The real improvement comes during revision and editing. Many students lose marks not because their ideas are weak, but because their essays are unclear, repetitive, or poorly polished. This guide gives you a step-by-step method to revise and edit your essay into an examiner-ready piece of writing.
RevisionDojo helps IB students go beyond drafting to produce essays that are structured, balanced, and polished for top scores.
Quick Start: Difference Between Revising and Editing
- Revising: Improving ideas, arguments, and structure.
- Editing: Fixing grammar, word choice, and formatting.
- Both matter: A well-edited but poorly argued essay won’t score high, and a brilliant essay full of errors risks losing examiner confidence.
Step 1: Revisit the Prescribed Title
- Ask: Am I answering the question directly?
- Re-check definitions of key terms.
- Make sure each body paragraph links clearly back to the title.
See our Complete Titles Guide for detailed breakdowns.
Step 2: Check Claims and Counterclaims
- Do you have balance between claims and counterclaims?
- Have you evaluated which is stronger instead of leaving them open-ended?
- Are your examples analyzed, not just described?
For counterclaim help, see our Best Counterclaims Guide.
Step 3: Evaluate Structure and Flow
- Does your essay follow a logical order (intro → body → conclusion)?
