3.3 Writer's Workshop: Persuasive Letter

Revising is your chance to improve your first draft by adding, deleting, changing, and moving ideas around. You may need to revise your persuasive argument two or three times before you’re fully satisfied with it.

But first:

1. If completing this work on a computer document, copy and paste your opening, body, and closing into the "Revising" area of your Writer's Workshop document.

2. If completing this work on a printed document, in pen or pencil, find a different colour pen to complete your revisions. Your teacher wants to see your revisions! 

Then, you are ready to revise.  

As yourself these questions as you revise your work.

Opening:

• Did I state my position clearly?

Body:

• Is my position evident throughout my argument?

• Are my opinions clear and do my facts support my opinions?

• Do my ideas flow well together?

• Do I stay on topic?

• Did I mention one or more counter-arguments? Did I prove why they are wrong or insignificant?

• Is my argument convincing?

• Do I have my strongest argument/reason last?

• Does my information flow easily from one paragraph to another?

• Where can I add transitions?

Here’s a list of commonly used transitional words and phrases:

and	unlike	in contrast	in other words	sometimes
but	however	furthermore	to sum up	in addition
or	yet	on the other hand	consequently	besides
while	unless	similarly	firstly	likewise
although	therefore	because	next	for instance

Closing: 

• Do I restate my opinion and briefly summarize my main points?
• Do I give a call to action?