When students have developed their first drafts, whether it's a sentence or a 1,000 page thesis*, here is a quick and easy strategy for effective proofreading. Remember, never ever grade that first draft without getting students to proofread. First drafts equal tears on the page!
[1] Ask students to review their work or trade it with a trusty peer. As they review, the student will use a highlighter or colored pen/pencil to circle the following sinister six words:
- It
- There
- Who
- Which
- That
- and Adverbs
Consider making accommodations when initially teaching students to proofread. For example, it may be more effective to ask students to concentrate on 1 or 2 of the sinister six at a time. You could even divide the work and have students meet more than one peer editor, each with a different objective.
It might look something like this...
Little Billy needs his five paragraph essay to be proofread. His elbow partners (students within elbow distance) are Little Johnny and Little Becky. Billy asks them for help and Johnny offers to look for every It and There. Then Becky offers to look for and highlight every Adverb.
[*Please don't make your students write a 1,000 page thesis. That was just some hyperbole humor.]
[2] Edit and Revise. After students have identified the sinister six contained in their written work, ask them to rewrite their sentences without the use of It, There, Who, Which, That, and Adverbs.
It will challenge students to consider their words carefully and result in greater clarity.
As always, adjust based on the needs of your students. If six is too overwhelming, slow down and focus on editing a single sentence. Maybe start with their gist sentences?
A big thanks to the amazing Priscilla Griffith. The above strategy has been adapted from her Symptoms To Look for When We Revise lesson presented through the Oklahoma Writing Project. When teachers need support for writing in the classroom, I point them to the OWP. Also, visit the OSU Writing Project.
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