an electronic publication of Staff Development - contributions are welcome
Identifying Errors in Writing

"Teaching Tips Collection"
Identifying Errors in Writing - Mary Cupilary - Read for Literacy, Toledo

Mary begins this lesson by having her students write brief paragraphs on a given topic. Next, she pulls
one sentence from each person's work, writing them verbatim on a large chart. Authors are not
identified. The goal of this lesson is to use these sentences to help students identify errors and correct
usage in grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. Mary believes that this activity is more meaningful
and authentic because the sentences being critiqued and edited come from the students' own wri ting.

Several important factors need to be stressed if one uses this model:
1. Anonymity of the sentences.
2. Tact in presenting the sentences as well as finding and correcting the errors.
3. Emphasizing the positive of all correct usages as well as the errors.

Mary evaluates the success of this lesson by the improvement that she can see in her students' writing
skills. She states that she first began using this in 1972 and continues to use it because she "saw
improvement right away."

For more information about Mary's writing improvement strategy, call (419) 242-7323...