The Value of Human Life: The Most Dangerous Game - Manning's ...

The Value of Human Life: The Most Dangerous Game Argumentative Module Module Title Module description (overview):

Template task (include number, type, level):

Teaching task:

The Value of Human Life: The Most Dangerous Game Throughout history, many courageous people have placed a high value on the lives of others. Think of people such as Harriet Tubman who moved slaves from the South to Canada and out of harm’s way; Oskar Schindler used his own factory to protect Jews from the Nazis during World War II. These people risked their own lives and fortunes to aid others. One would say that they placed a high value on other human beings. So, what is the value of a human life? Can we measure the value of a life? During this module, you will read fictional stories, poems, news stories, magazine articles, blogs, and speeches to explore the idea of the value of human life. Task 2: [Insert question] After reading ________ (literature or informational texts), write a/an ________ (essay or substitute) that addresses the question and support your position with evidence from the text(s). L2 Be sure to acknowledge competing views. (Argumentation/Analysis) Can you place a value on human life? After reading literature and informational texts (see below), write an editorial for a local newspaper that addresses the question and support your position with evidence from the texts. Be sure to acknowledge competing views.

Grade(s)/Level:

9th Grade

Discipline: (e.g., ELA, science, history, other?)

English/language arts

Course:

9th Grade ELA - Standard

Author(s):

Melissa Brown, Melissa Champion-Hurst, LaTonya McNeill, Jeff Merithew, Pam Shive, Kim Shropshire, Ben Taylor

Contact Information:

[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] This PDF was created by DPI coaches, but this document is not sanctioned by the NCDPI. Also, if you would like a Word version of this document, please contact your DPI coach.

For classroom use only. May not be reproduced for commercial purposes.

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Section 1: What Task? TEACHING TASK Background to share with students:

Throughout history, many courageous people have placed a high value on the lives of others. Think of people such as Harriet Tubman who moved slaves from the South to Canada and out of harm’s way; and Oskar Schindler who used his own factory to protect Jews from the Nazis during World War II. These people risked their own lives and fortunes to aid others. One would say that they placed a high value on other human beings. So, what is the value of a human life? Can we measure the value of a life? During this module, you will read fictional stories, poems, news stories, magazine articles, blogs, and speeches to explore the idea of the value of human life.

Teaching task:

Can you place a value on life? After reading literature and informational texts (see below), write an editorial for a local newspaper that addresses the question and support your position with evidence from the texts. Be sure to acknowledge competing views. Give examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.

Reading texts:

Please note: all outside reading selections should be approved by the appropriate district personnel. CCSS Text Complexity: 9-10th Grade Flesch-Kincaid Goals = 8.32 - 12.12 The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell (Flesch-Kincaid: 4.4) Life Value Calculator http://www.lifehappens.org/human-life-value-calculator/ Choose among the readings below (arranged from least complex to most complex quantitatively): What is the Value of a Human Life? By Kenneth Feinberg (Flesch-Kincaid: 8.1) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90760725 Your iPhone was built, in part, by 13 year-olds in China by Henry Blodgett (Flesch-Kincaid: 8.2) http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/46027028/ns/today-today_news/t/your-iphone-was-built-part-year-olds-china/#.T84zRaN5mK0 Why the Syrian Regime is Killing Babies (Flesch-Kincaid: 11.0) http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/31/opinion/ghitis-syria-killing-children/index.html?hpt=imi_t5 For classroom use only. May not be reproduced for commercial purposes.

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Is Victoria's 'Secret' child labor in Africa? by David A. Love (Flesch-Kincaid: 11.4) http://thegrio.com/2011/12/16/is-victorias-secret-child-labor-in-africa/ Pope: No Human Life is Dispensable (Flesch-Kincaid: 12.0) http://www.zenit.org/article-33828?l=english China: Death Row Provides Most Organ Donors (Flesch-Kincaid: 12.0) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32563370/ns/world_news-asia_pacific/t/china-death-row-provides-most-organdonors/#.T84tF839RD4 49 Decapitated Bodies Found in Mexico (Flesch-Kincaid: 12.0) http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/13/world/americas/mexico-remains/index.html?npt=NP1 The Value of a Human Life: $129,000 By Kathleen Kingsbury (Flesch-Kincaid: 12.0) http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1808049,00.html As U.S. Agencies Put More Value on a Life, Businesses Fret (Flesch-Kincaid: 12.0)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/business/economy/17regulation.html?_r=3&pagewanted=1 What’s the Value of a Statistical Life? (Flesch-Kincaid: 12.0)

http://stats.org/stories/2011/value_statistical_life_jun27_11.html Stem Cells in Court, Scientists Fear for Careers (Flesch-Kincaid: 13.4) http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/06/science/06stem.html?ref=stemcells&pagewanted=print# No Man is An Island by John Donne (poem) http://web.cs.dal.ca/~johnston/poetry/island.html Mi Historia by David Dominguez (poem) http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/240052 The Value of One Life (poem) http://poetrypoem.com/cgibin/index.pl?poemnumber=562674&sitename=apoetslaststand&poemoffset=0&displaypoem=t&item=poetry For classroom use only. May not be reproduced for commercial purposes.

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Charts from the Social Security Administration (scroll to bottom of page). These charts can lend themselves to rich discussions about the relative worth of different groups of humans according to government tables. http://www.ssa.gov/oact/NOTES/as120/LifeTables_Body.html Extension (optional: could be a speech, PPT, creative project):


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COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS READING STANDARDS FOR ARGUMENTATION “Built-in” Reading Standards “When Appropriate” Reading Standards (applicable in black) 1- Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the test.

3- Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.

2- Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.

5- Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.

4- Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

6- Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.

10- Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.

7- Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse formats and media, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words. 8- Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence. 9- Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.

WRITING STANDARDS FOR ARGUMENTATION “Built-in” Writing Standards “When Appropriate” Writing Standards (applicable in black) 1- Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

2- Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

4- Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

3- Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.

5- Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.

6- Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.

9- Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

7- Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

10- Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audience.

8- Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism.


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Section 2: What Skills? SKILL

DEFINITION

SKILLS CLUSTER 1: PREPARING FOR THE TASK 1. Task Engagement

Ability to connect the task and new content to existing knowledge, skills, experiences, interests, and concerns.

2. Task analysis

Ability to understand and explain the task’s prompt and rubric.

SKILLS CLUSTER 2: READING PROCESS 1. Active Reading

Ability to identify the central point and main supporting elements of a text.

2. Essential Vocabulary

Ability to apply strategies for developing an understanding of text(s) by locating words and phrases that identify key concepts and facts, or information.

3. Note-Taking

Ability to read purposefully and select relevant information; to summarize and/or paraphrase.

SKILLS CLUSTER 3: TRANSITION TO WRITING 1. Bridging Conversation

Ability to begin linking reading results to writing task.

SKILLS CLUSTER 4: WRITING PROCESS Ability to establish a controlling idea and consolidate information 1. Controlling Idea relevant to task. 2. Planning

Ability to develop a line of thought and text structure appropriate to an information/explanation task.

3. Development

Ability to construct an initial draft with an emerging line of thought and structure.

4. Revision

Ability to refine text, including line of thought, language usage, and tone as appropriate to audience and purpose.

5. Editing

Ability to proofread and format a piece to make it more effective.

6. Completion

Ability to submit final piece that meets expectations.


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Section 3: What Instruction? Pacing

Mini-Task: Product and Prompt SKILLS CLUSTER 1: PREPARING FOR THE TASK Day 1

Skill and Definition

1. Task Engagement Ability to connect the task and new content to existing knowledge, skills, experiences, interests, and concerns.

Day 1

2. Task Analysis Ability to understand and explain the task’s prompt and rubric.

Scoring (meets expectations)

Instructional Strategies

1. Students will visit the website to discover the value of a life: http://www.lifehappens.org/huma n-life-value-calculator/

1. Not scored.

1. Students can visit this website on any web enabled device. If students do not have access to technology, the teacher can complete the calculator for the whole class using one computer and an LCD display.

2. Students will complete an anticipation guide (see below).

2. Complete the guide.

2. Students complete the guide individually. After students finish, the teacher can choose a few questions to highlight and have a class discussion. Have students stand if they agree or disagree on certain questions. Discuss.

1. Quick write and Class discussion about prompt.

1. Not scored.

1. Students, seated in pairs, construct a statement about what they think they will have to learn in order to answer the writing prompt. Each pair then shares with another pair in the class to begin a class discussion. Finally, ask for pairs to volunteer to share their thoughts and their plans on how to tackle this prompt.

2. Explore and analyze an argumentative editorial.

2. Meets expectations if students can identify main argument and support statements in an editorial.

2. Students use highlighters of two different colors for this activity. For example, students can highlight the main arguments in blue and supporting statements in yellow.

3. Meets expectations if each group can apply an assigned rubric component to sample editorial.

3. Place students in seven groups – one group for each feature of the rubric. Each group will analyze an editorial using one of the seven components. Students will grade the paper and then present to the rest of the class to explain what they did and what they discovered about that piece of the rubric.

Here’s a sample student editorial: http://www.learner.org/worksho ps/middlewriting/images/pdf/jbcell%20phones.pdf

3. Explore the argumentative rubric.


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SKILLS CLUSTER 2: READING PROCESS Day 2-6

1. Active Reading Ability to identify the central point and main supporting elements of a text.

Students will annotate for understanding (highlight, underline, star, question, make notes in the margin). Students will also participate in other reading strategies as the teacher see fits.

Meets expectations if students can verbalize reasoning behind annotations. Meets expectations if students participate in the class reading strategies.

Model for students how to annotate with the first selection, or first part of selection. Students can share annotations with one another. In addition, here are some processing activities to use while reading the selections in this module. Suggested Reading Activities: • Title Predictions Before reading, or after reading just a few sentences, have students predict the main argument of the article (not just what the article will be about). Use a sentence cue like “I’ll bet the author believes…because…” Allow students to share with pairs and then share with class. • Stump the Teacher As the class reads as a whole group, students create questions to stump the teacher. Decide how many questions each student should create and at what points in the text are appropriate stopping points. • 5-Word Summaries After reading a section of text, asks pairs to summarize the in five words. By limiting the number of words, students are forced to focus on just the essentials. • Context Clues Students highlight difficult words as the class (or pairs or teams) read. Students raise hands as they come across a word they do not understand. Classmates help by pointing out context clues and other cues that give the word some meaning. The class decides on an alternative synonym for the word in the text. • Traveling Questions Students are seated in purposeful teams of four as the class reads a selection. At appropriate stopping points in the text, stop the reading and ask groups to decide on a word, a passage, a symbol, or other element of the text in which the group is confused. At the teacher’s prompt, one person from each team travels to the next team to get help with the question. After a few moments, the traveling teammate returns to discuss the answer. If questions remain, discuss as a class.


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Day 2-6

2. Essential Vocabulary Ability to apply strategies for developing an understanding of text(s) by locating words and phrases that identify key concepts and facts, or information.

Students will complete the vocabulary organizer (see below).

Meets expectations if the organizer is complete, and the if the students participate in the vocabulary activities.

Use the graphic organizer for both Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary. Ten of the 20 words can be dictated by the teacher as essential for the whole class; the other Ten of 20 words can be student chosen. The ten class/common words need to be taught and processed in stages for students to learn and acquire the terms. Please choose two or more of the strategies below to help students. Suggested Vocabulary Activities: • Frayer Maps & Pass-A-Problem Have students in pairs complete a Frayer Map of one word. Give each pair a sticky note to cover the word in the center. Then, pairs pass the words to other pairs to quiz them. • Corners With an LCD display, display the vocabulary word and four possible definitions (one correct, three incorrect). Students travel to the corner they think is the best definition. Reveal the best definition and allow for class discussion. • Connotation Continuum On white board in front of the class, draw a double-arrowed line – positive on one end, negative on the other. Pass out the vocabulary terms on strips to pairs or groups of students. Each pair/group comes to the whiteboard and places the word somewhere on the continuum. Make sure each pair/group justifies their placement. • Meaningful Sentences Assign each team (3 or 4 members) a word from the common class list. Each team creates a sentence to help define and set the context for that word. Teams write a sentence with the vocabulary word boxed and two context clues underlined. Example: avarice As his friends became wealthy, the young man’s grew so much that he was willing to commit crimes just to acquire more money.


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Day 2-6

3. Note-Taking Ability to read purposefully and select relevant information; to summarize and/or paraphrase.

Students will complete a close reading graphic organizer for each selection (see below).

Meets expectations if the organizer is complete with evidence from the text.

The graphic organizer can be completed in various ways during the module. During the first informational reading, the teacher can model how the organizer works and complete it as a class. The readings should be completed in various settings. For example, students can read the article individually, in pairs, in groups, or listening to a whole-class presentation. Vary the setting to allow the graphic organizer to remain effective.

Meets expectations if Concept Chair Debate organizer is completed. Meets expectations if the student participates in the class debate.

Students, during active reading, completed graphic organizers that helped analyze each article. Now, students synthesize the articles on the Concept Chair Debate form (see below) to ready themselves for the class debate.

Meets expectations if the controlling idea clearly states a position on the topic; provides an answer to the main teaching task.

To help students see strong introductory paragraphs, offer several examples of opening paragraphs. Then, ask the class to discuss what makes each paragraph strong or weak.

Meets expectations if • Created an outline of all paragraphs • Supports controlling idea by using evidence from texts read earlier.

Students can use notes from Concept Chair Debate to begin constructing outlines.

SKILLS CLUSTER 3: TRANSITION TO WRITING Day 7

1. Bridging Conversation Ability to transition from reading or researching to the writing task.

Students will complete the Concept Chair Debate (see below) to prepare for the class debate. Students use the close reading graphic organizers to synthesize the argument for and against placing values on human lives.

SKILLS CLUSTER 4: WRITING PROCESS Day 7-8 Controlling Idea Students will write a controlling idea (position statement) for the Ability to establish a editorial. The statement should controlling idea and also detail the sequence of the consolidate arguments. information relevant to task. Day 7-9

Planning Ability to develop a line of thought and text structure appropriate to an informational/ explanation task.

Students will create an outline based on their notes (Concept Chair Debate) and reading in which they state a claim, sequence the argumentative points, and note supporting evidence.


Students can prepare individually, in pairs, or in teams as the teacher sees fit.

Share examples of student outlines. Teacher circulates and provides individual feedback on outlines.

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Day 7-9

Development Ability to construct an initial draft with an emerging line of thought and structure.

Students will write an initial draft complete with opening, development, and closing; insert and cite textual evidence.

Meets expectations if • Draft is complete with all parts. • Claims are supported in later sections with evidence and citations.

Show students the outline of a paragraph that makes a claim, provides evidence, and gives an explanation of how evidence supports claim (see CEI model below). Assign students a writing buddy. After writing a paragraph, have students exchange paragraph with writing buddy who will highlight (in different colors) the writer’s use of claim, evidence, and interpretation. Teacher circulates and provides individual feedback on body paragraphs.

Day 7-9

Revision

Day 9-12

Ability to refine text, including line of thought, language usage, and tone as appropriate to audience and purpose. Editing Ability to proofread and format a piece to make it more effective.

Refine composition’s analysis, logic, and organization of ideas/points. Use textual evidence carefully, with accurate citations. Decide what to include and what not to include.

Meets expectations if • Provides complete draft with all parts. • Supports the opening in the later sections with evidence and citations. • Improves earlier edition.

Revise draft to have strong command of Standard English usage and mechanics of writing

Meets expectation if • Draft is free from distracting surface errors. • Uses format that supports purpose.

Adjust formatting as needed to provide clear, appealing text.

Encourage students to re-read prompt partway through writing to check that they are on track. Teacher conferences with individual students to provide useful feedback that balances support for strengths and clarity about weaknesses. Assign students to provide each other with feedback on those issues. Provide mini-lessons on selected skills based on student as evidenced by initial assessment of their drafts and teacher observations. Have students create a list of their most common writing errors. Teach a short list of proofreading marks.

Day 13

Completion Ability to submit final piece that meets expectations.

Turn in your complete set of drafts, plus the final version of your piece


Fits the “Meets Expectations” category in the rubric for the teaching task. (Set completion date for Student at this time)

Assign students to proofread each other’s texts a second time. N/A

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TEACHING TASK RUBRIC (ARGUMENTATION) Scoring Elements Focus

Controlling Idea

Reading/ Research

Development

Not Yet 1 Attempts to address prompt, but lacks focus or is off-task. Attempts to establish a claim, but lacks a clear purpose. (L2) Makes no mention of counter claims. Attempts to reference reading materials to develop response, but lacks connections or relevance to the purpose of the prompt. Attempts to provide details in response to the prompt, but lacks sufficient development or relevance to the purpose of the prompt.

1.5

Approaches Expectations 2 Addresses prompt appropriately and establishes a position, but focus is uneven. Establishes a claim. (L2) Makes note of counter claims. Presents information from reading materials relevant to the purpose of the prompt with minor lapses in accuracy or completeness. Presents appropriate details to support and develop the focus, controlling idea, or claim, with minor lapses in the reasoning, examples, or explanations

2.5

Meets Expectations 3 Addresses prompt appropriately and maintains a clear, steady focus. Provides a generally convincing position.

Addresses all aspects of prompt appropriately with a consistently strong focus and convincing position.

Establishes a credible claim. (L2) Develops claim and counter claims fairly.

Establishes and maintains a substantive and credible claim or proposal. (L2) Develops claims and counter claims fairly and thoroughly.

Accurately presents details from reading materials relevant to the purpose of the prompt to develop argument or claim.

Accurately and effectively presents important details from reading materials to develop argument or claim.

Presents appropriate and sufficient details to support and develop the focus, controlling idea, or claim.

Presents thorough and detailed information to effectively support and develop the focus, controlling idea, or claim.

Organization

Attempts to organize ideas, but lacks control of structure.

Uses an appropriate organizational structure for development of reasoning and logic, with minor lapses in structure and/or coherence.

Conventions

Attempts to demonstrate standard English conventions, but lacks cohesion and control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Sources are used without citation.

Demonstrates an uneven command of standard English conventions and cohesion. Uses language and tone with some inaccurate, inappropriate, or uneven features. Inconsistently cites sources.

Demonstrates a command of standard English conventions and cohesion, with few errors. Response includes language and tone appropriate to the audience, purpose, and specific requirements of the prompt. Cites sources using appropriate format with only minor errors.

Content Understanding

Attempts to include disciplinary content in argument, but understanding of content is weak; content is irrelevant, inappropriate, or inaccurate.

Briefly notes disciplinary content relevant to the prompt; shows basic or uneven understanding of content; minor errors in explanation.

Accurately presents disciplinary content relevant to the prompt with sufficient explanations that demonstrate understanding.


3.5

Advanced 4

Maintains an appropriate organizational structure to address specific requirements of the prompt. Structure reveals the reasoning and logic of the argument.

Maintains an organizational structure that intentionally and effectively enhances the presentation of information as required by the specific prompt. Structure enhances development of the reasoning and logic of the argument. Demonstrates and maintains a welldeveloped command of standard English conventions and cohesion, with few errors. Response includes language and tone consistently appropriate to the audience, purpose, and specific requirements of the prompt. Consistently cites sources using appropriate format. Integrates relevant and accurate disciplinary content with thorough explanations that demonstrate in-depth understanding.

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Feedback Sheet

Student _______________________________________ Date _______________________________________ Element

Score

Notes

Focus

Controlling Idea

Reading/ Research

Development

Organization

Conventions

Content Understanding Total Average Overall Performance Level For classroom use only. May not be reproduced for commercial purposes.

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MATERIALS, REFERENCES AND SUPPORTS (ADD BELOW) FOR TEACHERS

FOR STUDENTS

Vocabulary Log Anticipation Guide Close reading graphic organizer Concept Chair Debate: Teacher Instructions Concept Chair Debate: Student graphic organizer C.E.I. Writing Organizer Revision Checklist Editing Checklist


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Name:________________________ Period/Core:_________ Vocabulary Term

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Name:________________________ Period/Core:_________

Anticipation Guide Agree

Statement The value of life depends upon its usefulness. It is okay to sacrifice the lives of a few to save the lives of many. The death penalty is fair punishment. It is okay to change the rules of the game. People should make the same amount of money for the same amount of work regardless of their age. Experiences of people impact their values. People should make the same amount of money for the same amount of work regardless of their gender. All people are created equal. All human lives are of the same value. People should make the same amount of money for the same amount of work regardless of their race/ethnicity. Human beings should be valued based on their ability to give back to society. The value of a person is based on how many productive years they can work.


Disagree

Name:________________________ Period/Core:_________

The Value of Life: Close Reading Title/Author (MLA) Argument and Support How would the author answer the question: Can you place a value on life? What evidence in the text supports this position?

Writer’s Craft What attitude does the author have toward the subject matter (tone)? How does the author combine the features of writing to create a distinctive style? How does the author’s word choices affect the text? What is the effect of the literary devices, including figurative language? For classroom use only. May not be reproduced for commercial purposes.

Concept Chair Debate: Teacher Instructions 1. When students arrive in the room, a statement is presented on the board or overhead that will direct them to think broadly and critically about ____________.

2. The question should be one that will provoke the discussion.

3. The statement must be one which can be discussed on rational grounds, and one for which supporting arguments can be proposed and refuted.

4. Students will seat themselves in the rows assigned pro, con, or undecided. Someone from the pro side begins the discussion with an argument in favor of the position. Then someone form the con side may respond to the argument. Students are drawn into the discussion by physically moving to a seat in the row that currently reflects their beliefs about the position. Anyone can change seats at will.

5. Students can record compelling arguments on the seesaw graphic organizer to use for writing assignment.

6. Teacher can assess concept chair discussion by: Monitoring verbal statements with rubric and recording movement of students RUBRIC COMPONENTS COULD INCLUDE: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

superficial understanding of the position understands position and adds some insight analyze and differentiate points formulates and articulates a new opinion evaluates and supports ideas with concrete and abstract reasoning

Concept chair instructions and rubric information adapted from http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/3117?ref=search


Concept Chair Debate: Can you place a value on human life?

YES


NO

C.E.I. Claim #1 (What is your paragraph going to prove?):

Evidence (proof that supports your claim) 3 examples

Interpretation of the Claim (explains how your evidence ties to the Claim)

Claim #2 (What is your paragraph going to prove?):



Claim #3 (What is your paragraph going to prove?):




Name:________________________ Period/Core:_________

Revision Checklist Idea and Argument Development The writing stays on topic throughout the paper. All ideas fit within the topic. All ideas in each paragraph relate to one another. No stray ideas or arguments can be found within the paper. The arguments presented are strong and clear.

Organization The introduction grabs the reader, sets up the argument, and clarifies what to expect. The supporting paragraphs each tackle one main argument and counter arguments. The conclusion is satisfying and strengthens the paper. Each paragraph has a clear topic sentence.

Voice, Fluency, Word Choice Sentences flow from one to another. Sentence length varies throughout the paper. The voice of the paper sounds authoritative, without sounding argumentative. All words fit within the paper.


Name:________________________ Period/Core:_________

Editing Checklist Grammar, Language, Usage, and Mechanics All words are spelled correctly (including confusing words like affective and effective). Homonyms are spelled correctly (they’re/their/there, your/you’re, to/too/two). Commas are used correctly in each sentence (while reading, give a long pause to check). Each sentence ends with appropriate punctuation (avoid overuse of exclamation marks). Semi-Colons and Colons are used correctly. Overly used adjectives and adverbs are avoided (very, it) Each paragraph is indented. Sentences do not start with “it”.

