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Lesson 4

We will trade drafts with a partner to obtain and provide feedback for how we can improve our writing. We will use the feedback to revise our essays.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I sequence and group sentences and paragraphs and use devices, techniques, descriptions, reasoning, evidence, and visual elements to establish coherent, logical, and well-developed narratives, explanations, and arguments?

  • Can I revisit, refine, and revise my understanding, knowledge, and work based on discussions with others and feedback and review by myself and others?

Texts

There are no texts for this Lesson.

Materials

Reference Guides

Activity 1: Read – Discuss

We will work with a partner to revise our work to make sure we fully support and develop our ideas about the task, purpose, and audience. This will help us develop work that is clear and coherent.

Revision is the process of re-seeing your work with fresh eyes. Revision is a challenge for all writers—the art of making writing better is hard work that can feel messy at times.

Share your draft response with your partner, and then ask your partner the following questions:

  1. Is my central claim clearly stated?

  2. Do I sufficiently explain how each supporting claim is connected to the central claim?

  3. Is the evidence I use to support my claims relevant? Is my evidence integrated effectively? Do the integrated quotations use correct punctuation and citations?

  4. Do I use clear and precise language to make connections and transitions?

  5. Are my introduction and conclusion effective?

Repeat the process with your partner’s essay.

Activity 2: Read – Write – Discuss

We will engage in a peer review of our organization and coherence to help us strengthen and revise our essays.

Cut up a printed copy of your essay so that each paragraph is separate. Mix up the paragraphs. Trade paragraphs with a partner. Working individually, complete the following tasks:

  • Read each paragraph and write a brief note about the function of the paragraph on the back or margin.

  • Arrange the paragraphs in the order they should appear in the essay.

  • Highlight coherence markers and transitions that helped you determine the order. If you cannot determine the order of some paragraphs, mark them with an asterisk. Once you have the paragraphs in the order, number them.

  • Analyze the language of the paragraphs. Highlight strong and effective word choice. If language is generic or confusing, mark it with an asterisk.

Meet with your partner to review and discuss your observations about the order and function. Be sure to also provide feedback about how to improve the coherence, organization, conclusion, introduction, and language.

Activity 3: Write

We will revise our essay.

Using your partner’s feedback, revise your essay. Be prepared to share a typed version with a peer for final editing and proofreading.