Persuasive Writing Editing 8th Grade ELA

The Process of Editing/Proofreading The process of editing and proofreading is long…and slow! Consider this both an exercise in following directions and improving your writing.

Get Ready You need 2 different colored highlighters, 1 marker, and a pen. Get your essay out. Get your rubric out (on the back of the persuasive writing packet).

Step 1 – Read the Rubric Duh, people! This is exactly what I’m going to use to grade your writing. Do you think it’s important to read it and understand it? (Hint…the answer is yes!)

Persuasive writing rubric   4 3 2 1 Information and Research Information is factual and relevant. Research sources are high quality. At least 1 direct quote is used (and cited with an appropriate speech tag). All sources are cited. Missing 1 items from 4 point column. Missing 2 items from 4 point column. Missing 3 items from 4 point column. Missing 4 items from 4 point column.

Rubric Thesis Summarizes 2 main supporting points. Acknowledges opposing view. Includes anecdote. Missing 1 items from 4 point column. Missing 2 items from 4 point column. Missing 3 items from 4 point column. Missing 4 items from 4 point column.

Rubric Transit-ions Each paragraph contains transitions. No transitions are repeated. 1 repeated transition or 1 missing paragraph transition. 2 repeated transitions or 2 missing paragraph transitions. 3 repeated transitions or 3 missing paragraph transitions. 4 or more repeated transitions or 4 missing paragraph transitions.

Rubric Conclus-ion Restates the thesis. Summarizes main points. Leaves a lasting impression.   Either restates thesis or summarizes main points. Weak restatement of thesis or summarizing of main points. No restatement of thesis or summarizing of points.

Rubric Gram-mar and Mech-anics Virtually error free. Very minor errors that do not distract the reader. A few errors that could use more editing. Significant errors that become distracting. Many errors. Very distracting.

Step 2 – Check the big stuff Highlight your thesis statement. (Color #1) Is it at the end of your introduction paragraph? Are there at least 3-4 sentences in front of it? Highlight each topic sentence of the following paragraphs. (Color #1) Each topic sentence should be like a mini thesis statement. Does it tell the reader what that paragraph will be about? Does each topic sentence help prove your thesis? Highlight each transition. (Color #2) Is there a transition in each paragraph? Does it help to improve the flow of your writing? Are there places where a transition would make things easier to understand?

Step 2 – Check the big stuff (Continued) With your marker, circle all the information (facts, statistics, stories) that you learned through your research. Did you cite that source? Does it look like this (Flater)? Label the parts of your essay: Introduction – 1 Main point 1 – 2 Main point 2 – 3 Main point 3 – 4 Conclusion – 5

Step 3 – It’s Time to get picky Right now we’re reading for understanding. Assume your reader knows nothing. Would they understand your writing? This should take AT LEAST 10 minutes. Read each paragraph slowly and carefully. Stop at the end of each paragraph to reflect and think about these questions. Fix mistakes. Explain things that need to be explained. Fix things. Mark up your paper!!!

Step 4 – Polish it up! This is the part where you make sure that you’ve followed basic grammatical rules. You will have to re-read you paper again (I know, I know…). Look carefully at each sentence for: Is it a complete sentence? Does it have a subject and verb? Is it a run-on sentence? Is it too long? Is it too choppy? Could I combine it with other sentences? Does it need more punctuation? Have I missed any commas? Have I spelled all words correctly?

Step 5 – Fix It Now that you’ve marked up your essay, it’s time to type the changes. When you’re finished, you should have an error free, logical, well researched paper. Congratulations!