Staying Focused While Writing: Editing for Conciseness with Scrible

In this lesson, students will learn the importance of conciseness in writing. They will practice editing their work, focusing on eliminating redundancy and honing in on essential components. Using Scrible, students will dissect their writing, identifying and removing elements that do not contribute to their main argument or topic.

Through this lesson, students will enhance their ability to write concisely, improving their communication's overall clarity and effectiveness.

Objective: Students will edit their writing for conciseness, using Scrible to identify and remove redundant words, phrases, or ideas.

Learning Outcome: Students will be able to produce clear and concise writing, focusing on the essential components of their argument or topic.

Activity:

Step 1 - Understanding Conciseness:

Introducing the concept of conciseness helps students understand the importance of clarity and precision in their writing.

Activity: Explain conciseness in writing, illustrating how eliminating redundancy can enhance the clarity and impact of their work.

Step 2 - Identifying Redundancies:

Learning to identify redundant words or phrases is crucial for students to refine their editing skills.

Activity: Provide examples of redundant writing. Students will use Scrible to highlight and note redundant elements in these examples.

Step 3 - Editing Practice:

Practicing editing for conciseness allows students to apply their learning and improve their writing skills.

Activity: Students will select a piece of their writing and use Scrible to edit for conciseness, focusing on removing unnecessary words or phrases and strengthening their main points.

Step 4 - Peer Review:

Peer review offers additional perspectives that can help students identify areas for improvement they might have overlooked.

Activity: Students will exchange their edited work with peers. Using Scrible, they will provide constructive feedback on conciseness and clarity.

Step 5 - Reflection and Revision:

Reflecting on the editing process and incorporating feedback helps students refine their writing and understand the value of conciseness.

Activity: Students will revise their writing based on peer feedback, focusing on enhancing conciseness and clarity.

Standards Alignment*:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.5 & W.11-12.5: Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.10 & W.11-12.10: Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.

*If your school or district references standards other than Common Core for writing, please contact us, and our team can provide the Scrible standard alignment for your set of standards.