Lesson 5

We will complete final revisions of our argumentative essays, considering the expression, grammar, and usage issues that have been a focus for instruction in the unit.

Lesson Goals

Can I understand the particular expression, grammar, and usage concepts that are focused on in this unit and its final writing assignment?
Can I use peer feedback and self-reflection to edit and improve my expression and the grammar and usage in my argument in the specified focus areas?

Texts

There are no texts for this Lesson.

Materials

Activity 1: Discuss

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

As a class, discuss some ways to improve your clarity and power of expression in an argument.

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

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.

Activity 3: Read – Discuss

We will review our draft arguments, examining the clarity and vigor of our sentences and language choices. We will evaluate the overall tone of our writing and judge its appropriateness for our purposes and audiences.

With an editing partner, use a criteria-based review process to examine the sentences and word choices in your draft argument.

Identify unclear sentences and language that make your meaning harder to interpret.

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

Read your draft to your editing partner, and ask your partner to describe the overall tone and voice of the argument.

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 expression 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 expression 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 research team and submitted to your teacher.