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      Peer editing a soliloquy based on 'Macbeth'

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can edit my own and my peer's soliloquy based on ‘Macbeth’.

      Key learning points

      1. The purpose of an editing lesson is to improve writing and make necessary corrections.
      2. Vocabulary, grammar and punctuation can be changed to make writing more effective.
      3. We also edit to ensure tense is consistent and the appropriate atmosphere is achieved.

      Keywords

      • Editing - the process of improving writing to improve text flow and overall quality

      • Punctuation - a set of standardised symbols and marks used in written language to structure sentences

      • Sentence structure - the way words are arranged and organised within sentences to convey meaning

      • Vocabulary - the use of specific words and phrases to convey a meaning

      Common misconception

      Pupils sometimes think the more edits they make the better.

      Praise pupils not on the amount they have edited, but on how well they are working as a team to find things that need correcting or improving.

      Teacher tip

      Pupils might run out of time to look at both of their work; it might be useful to set a timer and then ask them to swap whose work they are looking at to ensure they have time to edit both pieces of work.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      How does Act I end?

      Lady Macbeth stops Macbeth from killing Duncan.
      Macbeth kills Duncan.
      Correct answer: Macbeth sees a dagger and decides to kill Duncan.

      Q2.
      What word is the missing word in this quote? "I go, and it is done: the invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell that summons thee to Heaven, or to Hell."

      dagger
      Correct answer: bell
      signal
      witch

      Q3.
      What does personification do?

      Correct answer: gives human characteristics to non-human things
      compares two things using the words 'like' or 'as'
      compares two things by saying that one thing is another

      Q4.
      What does a simile do?

      gives human characteristics to non-human things
      Correct answer: compares two things using the words 'like' or 'as'
      compares two things by saying that one thing is another

      Q5.
      What is a non-finite clause?

      a type of subordinate clause that starts with a subordinating conjunction
      a group of words that contains a verb and make complete sense
      Correct answer: a type of subordinate clause that can start with a progressive tense (-ing) verb

      Q6.
      Which of the following are examples of non-finite clauses?

      as he heard the bell
      before walking away
      Correct answer: walking towards the door
      Correct answer: panting quickly
      Macbeth saw a dagger

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      In what order have we peer edited our work?

      1 - peer editing for punctuation
      2 - peer editing for sentence structure
      3 - peer editing for vocabulary

      Q2.
      Why is it useful to edit your work with a peer?

      Correct answer: it means two of you can spot mistakes or think of ways to improve your work
      it takes longer
      you can let your peer do all the work

      Q3.
      When editing punctuation, what kind of mistakes are we looking for?

      Correct answer: missing full stops
      more ambitious vocabulary choices
      tense
      Correct answer: missing apostrophes
      Correct answer: capital letters used incorrectly

      Q4.
      What needs to be edited in the following sentence? 'What would become of me if I was caught.'

      there is a word missing
      there is no capital letter to start the sentence
      Correct answer: there is a missing question mark at the end of the sentence
      there is a missing exclamation mark at the end of the sentence
      there is a missing full stop at the end of the sentence

      Q5.
      When editing vocabulary, we should ...

      Correct answer: check that the vocabulary we use is appropriate for the style of writing.
      Correct answer: check that the vocabulary we use is ambitious.
      change most words.
      check that the writing looks really neat.

      Q6.
      Editing is for whom?

      professional writers only
      Correct answer: everyone
      children

      To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Peer editing a soliloquy based on 'Macbeth', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...