Post-Writing: Claim and Focus
WORLD HISTORY PROJECTORIGINS/ LESSON 3.1ACTIVITYPOST-WRITING: CLAIM AND FOCUSUnless otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Credit: “Post-Writing: Claim and Focus”, OER Project, https://www.oerproject.com/1PurposeThis activity will show you how to use a rubric-aligned tool to evaluate and improve upon a piece of writing. A useful strategy for improving writing skills is to analyze samples as an editor, using peer drafts or your own graded essays.Process1.Use either your reviewed essay on Farming vs. Foraging(Unit 2)or this sample essaytocomplete this activity. Reminder: The essay prompt was:Was farming an improvement over foraging for early humans?2.If you received any feedback on your own essay, make sure to review it,particularly feedback about the essay’s claim and focus. 3.Now, use the charts below to evaluate the writing. For any items that do not meet the criteria, follow the suggestions in the corresponding Revise column and revise the writing using a different color for the text. Step 1: Thesis/major claimIf thesis/major claim doesn't meet criteria, try the suggested action in the Revise column.ReviewMeets criteria?ReviseThe major claim directly responds to the prompt.☐Yes☐NoTurn the ques8on from the prompt into a statement that answers the ques8on.The major claim includes details that make it more specific by including a preview into some of the suppor8ng claims that support the thesis/major claim.☐Yes☐NoAdd brief phrases to the claim statement that summarize your specific reasons.
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT ORIGINS/ LESSON 3.1ACTIVITYPOST-WRITING: CLAIM AND FOCUS2Step 2: Improving focusIf improving focus doesn't meet criteria, try the suggested action in the Revise column.ReviewMeets criteria?ReviseThe contents of each suppor8ng claim explicitly support the major claim.☐Yes☐NoAdd to or improve your suppor8ng claims so readers can clearly see how that paragraph supports your major claim. To do this, use similar language or ideas from the major claim.Each suppor8ng paragraph (that is, any paragraphs that aren’t the introduc8on or conclusion) clearly connects to the major claim.☐Yes☐NoAdd another sentence of explana8on, repea8ng key words from the major claim to help show the connec8on. Remove any extra informa8on that isn’t related to the major claim or counterclaim.Step 3: Improving counterclaimsIf improving counterclaim doesn't meet criteria, try the suggested action in the Revise column.ReviewMeets criteria?ReviseA counterclaim has been addressed as part of the major claim.☐Yes☐NoStart your major claim with a phrase that captures an alterna8ve or opposing viewpoint, such as “While some have argued...”Counterclaims have been addressed in the essay.☐Yes☐NoRevise to address counterclaims anywhere you might imagine a reader responding, “But what about...?” Or, think about alterna8ve or opposing viewpoints you’ve read about and incorporate them.
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT ORIGINS/ LESSON 3.1ACTIVITYPOST-WRITING: CLAIM AND FOCUS3Review If you do not check a box in the column below, try the suggested ac9on in the Revise columnRevise☐Review the prompt.Underline all the key words in the prompt that relate to what specifically is being asked of the writer.☐The major claim directly responds to the prompt.Turn the ques8on from the prompt into a statement that answers the ques8on.