After Reading KEY TRAITS Writing Workshop Editorial...continued 1.IDEAS Identifies the issue clearly Presents a clear, logical claim in a thesis statement Supports the thesis with relevant and convincing reasons and evidence Anticipates and answers opposing viewpoints with counterarguments Editorial

After ReadingWriting Workshop Editorial...continued KEY TRAITS 2. ORGANIZATION Has an introduction that describes the issue in a memorable and thought-provoking way Uses a pattern of organization that clarifies ideas and relationships between them Uses transitions to connect ideas Concludes with a summary of main points and a call to action Editorial

After ReadingWriting Workshop Editorial...continued 5. SENTENCE FLUENCY 6. CONVENTIONS Varies sentence structures for interest and flow Employs correct grammar and usage KEY TRAITS 3. VOICE 4. WORD CHOICE Uses a tone that is suited to the audience and purpose Uses persuasive language effectively Editorial

After ReadingWriting Workshop...continued What Should I Do? 1. Analyze the prompt. What Does It Look Like? Editorial Read the prompt carefully. Circle the part of the prompt that tells you what form your writing will take. Underline the part that tells you what your subject matter should be. Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting

After ReadingWriting Workshop...continued What Should I Do? 2. Think about issues that interest you and your readers. What Does It Look Like? List some “hot-button” issues of today. Choose one that you believe you could make an audience care about. Then create a chart like this one to help you evaluate whether that issue would make an effective editorial. Editorial Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting

After ReadingWriting Workshop...continued What Should I Do? 3. Make your claim. What Does It Look Like? You want your audience to know exactly how you feel about the issue your editorial addresses. A straightforward thesis statement will do just that. Editorial Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting

After ReadingWriting Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting What Should I Do? 4. Collect evidence. What Does It Look Like? How will you support the statement you just made? Your best bet is to bolster each reason you give with evidence, such as relevant statistics and convincing quotations. Editorial...continued

After ReadingWriting Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Drafting What Should I Do? 1. Grab your reader’s attention. What Does It Look Like? The first few sentences of your editorial are critical to holding your audience’s attention. You might begin by describing a hypothetical situation (“What if... ”) or by sharing a real-life incident. Editorial...continued

After ReadingWriting Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Drafting What Should I Do? 2. Develop your argument. What Does It Look Like? Think about what reasons and evidence someone opposed to your position might use to attack it. Develop counterarguments to show why your position is the right one. Editorial...continued

After ReadingWriting Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Drafting What Should I Do? 3. Watch your language. What Does It Look Like? Use language that is strongly persuasive. However, don’t let your words become so emotionally charged that your audience will conclude that you’re overstating your case. Editorial...continued

After ReadingWriting Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Drafting What Should I Do? 4. Issue a call to action. What Does It Look Like? Your conclusion is an opportunity to restate your argument and issue a call to action—an invitation to your reader or to society as a whole to do something that brings about change. Editorial...continued

After ReadingWriting Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing What Should I Do? 1. Choose persuasive language. What Does It Look Like? Read your editorial and underline words that seem weak, such as good, nice, should, is, really, and very. Replace these words with vivid verbs and forceful modifiers that add persuasive punch to your writing. Editorial...continued

After ReadingWriting Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing What Should I Do? 2. Counter opposing viewpoints. What Does It Look Like? Editorial See page 676: Ask a Peer Reader Ask a peer reader to highlight any parts of your editorial that do not address opposing viewpoints completely and honestly. Add further explanation to sharpen your argument....continued

After ReadingWriting Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing What Should I Do? 3. Smooth out your sentences. What Does It Look Like? Editorial Circle the three longest or most complex sentences in your editorial. Read each one aloud. Shorten confusing sentences by breaking each up into two or more sentences or by deleting unnecessary information....continued

After ReadingWriting Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing What Should I Do? 4. Don’t use faulty reasoning. What Does It Look Like? Editorial Read your editorial aloud. Draw a box around examples of name-calling, oversimplification, or other errors in logic. Replace these examples with reasoned, persuasive language. See page 676: Errors in Logic