Writer’s Craft #1

 

Write at least one typed page telling me about yourself!  Follow the directions on the Writer’s Craft Assessment sheet. (See below.) 

Include whatever you think I should know to help me get to know you.  Be creative!  If you can’t think of what to write, then you might include things like the following:

 

Why were you named the way you are?

Where were you born (if interesting!)

Have you ever had a paying job?

Are you working now?  Where?  What hours?

How do you learn best?

Do you usually like English classes?

What is your favorite subject?

Do you have any particular talents?

What is your relationship with your peers like?

What is your relationship with your parents like?

What do you want to do after high school?

If there was one thing you could learn this year, what would it be?

 

Good luck and have fun!

Mrs. M.  :-)

 


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Writer's Craft Procedures – 2008-2009

1.  Look over the craft options or choose one of your own.
2.  You must write at least a full, typed page, size12 font, double spaced, regular margins. Use Times New Roman, please.
3.  Spell-check.
4.  Print and proofread.  Using a utensil other than red, mark content, mechanical and grammatical changes.
5.  Have a parent or peer also edit your paper.  Have them use a different color than you           used, but not red.
6.  Make the corrections and print a clean final copy.
7.  Answer the following questions in full sentences.  You may write directly on the bottom of the Assessment Sheet, but be specific and answer fully.
            A.)  Why do you like (or dislike) this piece of writing?
            B.)  What is the best aspect of this piece of writing?  Give an example.
            C.)  What is the one aspect of this piece of writing upon which you could                                               improve?

Other Editing Guidelines

Some things to consider:

  1. When the author read the piece aloud, did she stumble anywhere over phrasing?
  2. Is the piece of writing clear and easy to understand? Note what was confusing for you?
  3. Is it focused? Does each paragraph stick to the point?
  4. Is it efficient? Does it contain any unnecessary words?
  5. Is it concise?
  6. Is it complete? Is all necessary information included?

Moving from the General to the Particular

  1. Count the number of lines in each of your paragraphs and write the number in the margin. If all your numbers are about the same – 9,8,7,9 or 3,5,4,4 – then all your paragraphs are pretty much the same length, and you could be lulling your readers to sleep. Variety truly is the spice of life when it comes to keeping the readers attention. A "paragraph" can be as short as one sentence in a business communication.
  2. Draw a slash through each period. If the distance between the slashes is pretty much the same, all your sentences are about the same length. Vary the length of you sentences to keep your writing alive.

Now check to make sure your sentences all don’t begin the same way. Be especially careful that you haven’t overused "There are…" or "There is…”  The same goes for starting a sentence with “It.”

 
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Name: ______________________________________ Date Due: ____________ Block: ________ 

If late, then date submitted: ____________ (Circle absent or late and explain below!)

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Assessment Sheet for Writer’s Craft (2008-2009)

Possible Points

 

Student Standards

Student

Score

Teacher

Score

 30

Exercise is a minimum of one typed, double-spaced page in length. 

 

 

 20

Exercise has been proofread and edited by the author. Use a color other than red.

 

 

 10

Exercise has been proofread and edited by a peer or parent. Have them use a different color, but not red.

 

 

 10

A final copy, with corrections, has been attached.

 

 

 15

Craft has been thoughtfully and thoroughly written.   

 

 

 

15 

 

You have commented on whether you are pleased with and what you like about your writing.   

 

 

 

 Total Points

 

 

 

 * Answer the questions below in detail. Use complete sentences.

* 1. Do you like this piece of writing? Explain why (or why not)?
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* 2. What is the best thing about this piece of writing?  Give an example.
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* 3. What one specific thing would you most like to improve about this piece of writing?
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