This thesis is designed to invite scholars, writers, and teachers of rhetoric and composition pedagogy to re-evaluate the revision process as a means of inspiring and supporting first-year writers to become acquainted with their “writer’s voice.” This study explores students’ resistance towards revision and argues that recognizing and developing revision habits will help students revise independently. Self-directed revision not only strengthens a writer’s ability to engage in the writing process more astutely, but it is also a fundamental component to the self-identification process from which the writer draws inspiration. This thesis is structured into four main sections: (1) Introduction, referring to aim and methodology; (2) Chapter 1, addressing the importance of “self-directed” revision; (3) Chapter 2, a case study presenting first-year student responses to writing and revision; (4) Conclusion, discussing the relevance of implementing a strategic and shared value approach to first-year composition revision assignments. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection