Rough-Final+Paper



The rough drafts are due on Thursday, March 28. If you are able to come in and look at the rough draft with the writer, either read it aloud to him/her, or have the student read the piece aloud to you. At this point, make comments mostly about content. Then read the paper over more carefully for both content and mechanics. Write comments and suggestions on the paper. It would be helpful for the kids to have the papers back no later than Tuesday, April 2. You can send them in with your child, or drop them into my box in the office. Here are some things to look for on rough draft.

Content Does it make sense? Is it sequenced in a logical fashion? Does it include information about different periods and aspects of the person’s life? Is it written in first person? Has the writer captured the “voice” of the person they researched? Some useful things to discuss with the writer in this regard are: The personality of ________ Would _________ tell this information? Would __________tell this information in this way, include this detail, or include only part of the story? Is there a strong opening? Is there a conclusion that works? Are the transitions smooth?

Mechanics The amount of correcting you do is somewhat dependent on the student. More capable students can be shown an error once, and then told to go over the paper and make all corrections. For others, it is helpful to be shown each error.

Sentences - Are there run-ons? fragments? Does the writer use a variety of simple, compound, and complex sentences? Paragraphs - Do they exist? Are they put in the proper place? Punctuation - Is there always end punctuation. Is dialogue properly punctuated? Are commas in the proper place? Are apostrophe marks where they should be? Titles - Are they underlined or put in quotations Capitalization Is there noun verb agreement? Is the proper verb tense used? For writers who chose to organize the paper in other than a chronological fashion, this is sometimes problematic.

Once again thanks to all of you for the time and help you’ve given these students.