The Art of Crossing Out: Embracing the Beauty of Redrafting
As a teacher who’s spent years in both primary and secondary classrooms, one thing I know for sure: students loathe the art of crossing out. You can almost hear their collective groan when I say, “It’s okay to cross things out. It’s a normal part of writing.” In fact, if I had a pound for every time I’ve heard, “But it looks messy!” I’d be able to retire early.
Let’s face it: neatness is often seen as the gold standard. Whether it’s handwriting or presentation, students are told to avoid mistakes, and nothing screams “I’ve messed up!” like a scribbled-out word. But as an English teacher—and let’s face it, as a fellow writer who’s crossed out more than a few things myself—I’m here to tell you that crossing out is not a sign of failure; it’s the first step to the art of editing and redrafting.
1. Messy Writing = Thoughtful Writing
The first thing I try to impress upon students is that crossing out isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of thinking. I often use myself as an example: “Do you think my first draft of this lesson plan was perfect?” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. I crossed out entire paragraphs, scratched out ideas, and rewrote sections multiple times. That’s the process of getting to the good stuff—the bits that are clear, well-argued, and impactful.
When students cross something out, it’s evidence that they’re reflecting on their ideas, considering a better way to express them, or even questioning their approach. That messy first draft is where the magic happens. A perfect sentence on the first try is more of a unicorn than a reality. Embrace it.
2. The Power of Redrafting
I remember watching a class full of secondary students look utterly horrified when I asked them to rewrite a paragraph in a different way. One student even looked at me as though I had asked them to recite War and Peace backwards. But here’s the thing: rewriting is essential. Redrafting isn’t just about putting a nicer pen on a page—it’s about improving, revising, and perfecting. And crossing out? That’s the first step.
In my English lessons, I get students to make mistakes, then go back and refine their sentences, questions, and arguments. We’ll cross out, rewrite, and, sometimes, completely overhaul an idea. I tell them that crossing things out is a victory. It shows they’re engaging with their work and striving for clarity and precision. The beauty of writing isn’t in the absence of mistakes—it’s in the process of refining and improving what you’ve already done.
3. Learning to Let Go of Perfectionism
The real issue, though, is the fear of imperfection. Students are often terrified of making mistakes. In fact, a lot of them associate crossing out with failure or weakness. They think that if their writing is “messy,” it reflects poorly on their intelligence or skill. But here’s the secret: messy writing is the opposite of failure. It’s proof that a student is willing to engage in the complex process of writing—not just produce something polished without effort.
I try to create a culture in my classroom where the messiness of the first draft is celebrated. “This is where it all starts!” I say. “We don’t get to a brilliant final product without a few crossed-out words.” It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress.
4. Crossing Out Is a Skill, Not a Burden
I won’t lie, sometimes I have to remind my students that crossing things out is a skill—and one that makes their final drafts stronger. They’re learning how to identify weak points, restructure sentences, or rethink arguments. As an examiner, I can spot those who’ve redrafted and refined their ideas. Those little crossed-out sections tell me, “This student is invested in their work,” and that’s far more impressive than a flawless page.
In other subjects, this idea holds too. Whether they’re working on a science experiment or a history essay, students should know that the first idea, the first draft, or the first attempt is never the end. The art of crossing out, of revising and improving, is what allows students to grow and develop their thinking.
5. Making Peace with the Red Pen
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But what about the red pen of doom?” Yes, the infamous marking pen that seems to swoop in, crossing out errors, correcting every grammatical mistake, and leaving the paper looking like a crime scene. I’m guilty of it too. But, here’s where we teachers can make a difference: we need to show students that redrafting isn’t about punishment. It’s about refinement.
I try to keep feedback constructive, not critical. “Nice work here, but let’s rework this sentence for clarity,” I might write. Or, “Great idea, but can we find a stronger way to express this?” The idea is to make the process of crossing out feel less like failure and more like a way to polish their thinking.
Conclusion: Embrace the Mess
At the end of the day, crossing out is just another part of the writing process. It’s a beautiful thing. It’s not messy—it’s evolution. From the crossed-out sentence to the final draft, it’s a reflection of how we grow as writers and thinkers. Whether it’s in English class or across the curriculum, teaching students to embrace the art of redrafting will help them build confidence, improve their writing, and make them better at problem-solving.
So, let’s all agree: crossing out isn’t a mistake. It’s proof that the student is thinking, and thinking deeply at that. It’s time to let go of the idea of perfection and start celebrating the process of becoming great. Who knew a little scribble could be so powerful?
