1. Session 12: Editing for Sentence Variety and Control of Punctuation
Concept:
Revising and Editing a Memoir

2. Teaching Point Copy in your NB:
Memoirists edit with an eye toward sentence variety which demands a sophisticated knowledge of punctuation and grammar.

3. Guided Practice
Today we will work through a practice handout on sentence variety and punctuation
Let’s look at excerpt from “Bruised” by Joe Wilkins
What do you notice about his sentence structure and variety?

4. Active Engagement
Now, take a look at the back of the handout – “Adding Power to Memoir with Sentence Variety”
What do you notice about the sentence models?
Now try your own.
Copy your first sentence or two from your memoir onto the handout
Write 2 revised leads following the models
Share with a partner!

5. Independent Practice – 10 min
Now, re-read your latest memoir-draft and try to experiment a bit with sentence structure
Options:
Stacking short sentences
Long compound sentences
Zoom-Ins

6. Teaching Point #2 Copy in your NB:
Punctuating dialogue demonstrates control of sentences that require a specific understanding of punctuation and grammar.

7. Active Engagement
What are some rules of punctuation we already know? List them in your NB as we share ideas
Let’s look at one of our old model memoirs and see what rules are used…
Let’s review the Punctuation Handout for additional rules

8. Independent Practice – 15 min
Using the Punctuating Dialogue handout, go back into your draft and make some changes to dialogue (or add in some if it is missing)
Be sure to go slowly with the punctuation!

9. Reflection Copy in your NB and date/label:
Reflection #12: Rethinking Editing
Was your editing work focused more on revision of sentences or more on fixing errors that you missed in earlier drafts?
How did this focus impact your writing?
What punctuation changes or sentence structure changes did you make?

10. Homework
Revise Memoir (second-to-last revision!); bring typed copy to class in Project Folder
Read Chapters 4-6 of Things Fall Apart (quiz next class!)