Peer editing a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can edit my own and my peer's persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes.
Key learning points
- Editing is a critical part of the writing process.
- Writing is most successful when editing is used to rethink, rephrase and reconsider first ideas.
- Editing can be done by oneself, with a peer or with a teacher.
- Editing is most successful when it is chunked by punctuation, sentence structure, vocabulary and cohesive devices.
- A growth mindset helps us benefit most from editing.
Keywords
Editing - the process of revising and refining a piece of writing, focusing on improving its punctuation, sentence structures and language
Punctuation - a set of standardised symbols and marks used in written language to structure sentences
Text cohesion - refers to how a text flows to maintain the interest of the reader and achieve text purpose
Vocabulary - the language choices made by the writer
Common misconception
Pupils may have difficulty in making edits to their work in a practical way - where to write extra words etc.
Writing double-spaced is a good way of allowing room for editing - or you may want to have pupils re-draft the report completely, depending on your school's approach.
Teacher tip
You may wish to have pupils peer-edit the whole letter, or just one section of it, for each of the three tasks in this lesson. You may wish to add in additional input and checks for understanding based on your assessment of the children's work and common errors in prior lessons.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following are expressions of gratitude?
Q2.Which of the following are we not likely to find in the conclusion to a persuasive letter?
Q3.Which of these persuasive techniques have the appropriate formal tone for a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes?
Q4.Which example here uses a semi-colon correctly?
Q5.Which of these is not a piece of presumption?
Q6.Why is 'Yours sincerely,' an appropriate sign-off to a letter to Sherlock Holmes?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What punctuation is missing from this sentence? 'Although they claim to have investigated they have made almost no progress.'
Q2.What piece of punctuation could be added to this sentence? 'I am at my wits' end the police have been no help at all.'
Q3.Which cohesive device would best combine these pieces of information to improve text cohesion? 'Only Sherlock Holmes can solve this puzzle. The remarkable Sherlock Holmes.'
Q4.Which of the examples use cohesive devices appropriately?
Q5.Which of these examples show emotive vocabulary appropriate for a formal persuasive letter?
Q6.What are the problems with this sentence from a formal persuasive letter? 'I'm sure you'll jump at the chance to give us a hand!'
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Peer editing a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Peer editing a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the 'Sherlock Holmes': descriptive and letter writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.