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Lesson 5

We will complete final revisions of our argumentative essays, considering grammar and usage issues.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I edit my Culminating Task draft using standard English conventions, including consistent, appropriate use of present verb tense and active voice?

  • Can I edit my Culminating Task draft using standard English conventions, including a variety of complete, controlled sentences and avoidance of unintentional splices, run-ons, and fragments?

  • Can I edit my Culminating Task draft using standard English conventions, including pronoun-antecedent agreement?

  • Can I edit my Culminating Task draft using standard English conventions, including correct capitalization?

Texts

There are no texts for this Lesson.

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Discuss

We will review and explore the argument structure, grammar, and usage concepts that we focused on in this unit.

As a class, discuss some ways to improve your clarity in an argument.

Review the grammar and usage issues that we have focused on in the unit, including any identified in your Mentor Sentence Journal.

Activity 2: Read

We will use sentence modeling exercises to help us consider ways to improve the clarity and power of our sentences, word choices, and overall expression.

Follow along as your teacher leads you in a sentence-modeling exercise.

After the modeling, review the sentences and word choices in your draft argument.

  • Identify unclear sentences and language that make your argument more difficult to understand.

  • Identify sentences and word choices that could be more forceful and thus increase your argument’s strength.

Revise your draft at the sentence and word choice level and then have a partner review the changes to evaluate the strength of your argument.

Activity 3: Read – Discuss

We will edit our draft arguments for english conventions.

Step 1

Before finalizing your argument, edit your argument for English conventions. First, conduct a spelling and grammar check for accuracy, and respond to the following question:

  1. When the computer prompts you with a red or blue line, indicating that there is an error, how will you know which fix is the right fix? Hint: It will not always be the first choice.

Step 2

Provide your partner with your argument and have them make edits pertaining to standard English conventions. Use these editing questions to guide the editing feedback:

  1. Read through the argument. Are there places where sentences run on or are not complete? Is each sentence complete with a subject and verb? Do some of the sentences need to be broken up into two sentences for clarity?

  2. Is there a consistent verb tense? The argument should be written in the present tense with an active voice.

  3. Do pronouns match with their antecedents?

  4. Is there correct capitalization? Are proper nouns capitalized?

  5. Is there correct punctuation? Are there commas, semicolons, colons, and dashes to set off phrases and clauses?

  6. Are all the words spelled correctly?

Activity 4: Read – Discuss

We will review our draft arguments in relation to the grammar and usage concepts that we have focused on in this unit.

With a writing partner, use a criteria-based review process to inspect your draft argument for grammar and usage issues identified by your teacher.

Activity 5: Write

Based on what we have learned and on the feedback we have received, we will revise our drafts to correct any grammar and usage errors.

Make any final necessary revisions to your draft to strengthen your argument and correct any identified errors in grammar or usage.

Activity 6: Write

For homework, we will finish revising our draft arguments and prepare final drafts to share with the class, our intended audience, and our teacher.

For homework, complete a final revision of your draft argument to strengthen your argument and correct any identified errors in grammar or usage.

Based on the purpose and audience for your argument and on the expectations for your final product, produce a well-formatted argument that will be presented to your classmates and submitted to your teacher.