Page tree

A picture containing text, clipart

Description automatically generated               Persuasive

As you write, think about these questions:

  • Did you state your opinion clearly?
  • Did you include reasons and examples so the reader will agree with you?
  • Did you organize your letter clearly with an introduction, body, and conclusion?
  • Did you use a variety of words and well-written sentences?
  • Did you use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation?

Focus and Purpose

Revision Goal 1:   State your opinion.  

1. Your opinion is what you believe about the issue. Did you write your opinion in one sentence? Highlight it in   teal .

2. If you did not write your opinion in one sentence, write it at the end of your introduction. For example, if the issue is whether or not to use animals for their fur, your essay should clearly state whether you support this idea or not.
 

Revision Goal 2:   Understand your purpose and audience.

1. Read the prompt and find the audience. Are you writing for friends and students, for parents or other adults, for newspaper readers?


2. Make sure the words you wrote in your essay are appropriate for your audience. For example, if you are writing to adults, you should NOT use slang or contractions.

 

Content and Development

Revision Goal 1:

Include reasons to support your opinion.

1.   Reasons state what you believe about an issue.   Highlight,   in   maroon , the   reasons   that support your opinion.

2. If you did not write many reasons, add some now. Tell   why   you believe what you believe!
 

Revision Goal 2:

Include details to support your reasons.

1. Highlight,   in   maroon , the   reasons   that support your opinion. Highlight,   in   green , the   facts or details   you gave to support each reason.

2. Add important details to support your reasons. These could be specific examples, experiences, or facts.
 

 

Organization

Revision Goal 1:   Give your essay a good introduction.

1.   Did you state your opinion at the end of your introduction? Highlight your   opinion   in   teal . If you do not have one, add one now.

2.   You also need to grab your reader's attention in the beginning of the introduction. Make the first sentence of your introduction a question, an exclamation, or an interesting fact to hook your reader.
 

Revision Goal 2:   Give your essay a strong body and conclusion.

  1. Transitional words help show how your ideas are related, or connected. Highlight your   transitions   in   orange.   You should include transitions between paragraphs and between sentences. Use the word bank to help you.

2.   Underline   your   conclusion . If you do not have a conclusion, add one now. Your conclusion may restate your opinion, it may leave the reader with something to think about, or it may tell the reader to do something.

Language Use

Revision Goal 1:   Choose your words carefully.

1. Highlight,   in   green,   words that answer the questions who, what, when, where, why and how.

2.   Underline   the words or phrases you use too often and replace them with synonyms (words that mean the same) or more specific words. Use the thesaurus to help you.

3. Use your five senses (sight, sound, touch, smell, taste) to add more details about your ideas. Use the word bank to help you think of more details.

 

Revision Goal 2:   Use well-structured sentences.  

a1. Highlight,   in   purple , any sentences that are too long and have too many ideas. Then, separate your ideas into two or more sentences.
 

Grammar and Mechanics

  • Revision Goal 1:   Eliminate errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and mechanics.

1. Read your writing. You may want to read out loud (to yourself) so that you can hear many of your mistakes and correct them.

2. Correct any spelling errors using the spellchecker. Then, make your readers SMILE by doing the following:

Sentences :   Make sure each sentence has a subject and a verb (an action).

Marks :   End each sentence with a   punctuation mark .

Indents :   Indent when you begin a new paragraph.

Letters :   Start each sentence with a capital letter, and capitalize formal names, places, and the pronoun "I."

Editor :   Click on MY Editor for more ways to improve your writing.