1. Benchmark essay scoring and revisions
Write an essay explaining why new technology is so important to teenagers.

2. Step 1: Highlight your thesis
Step 1: Highlight your thesis. It should look something like this: Technology is so important to teenagers because… Step 2: Evaluate your thesis. Did you answer the question, “Why is technology so important to teenagers?”

3. Step 3: Look for your concrete details
Step 3: Look for your concrete details. Did you give specific instances or examples that support your thesis? How many CDs did you have? Do you have 1-2 or did you list off a bunch of different examples? Are your CDs about teens and technology?

4. Step 4: Look for off topic comments and the other side of the argument
Step 4: Look for off topic comments and the other side of the argument. I’m going to ask you to physically “step out” your essay. Example: Many of you started talking about how teens shouldn’t be on their phones so much. This is totally off topic. Some of you mentioned the pros and cons of technology. Again, this is off topic.

5. IDEAL EXAMPLE
OFF TOPIC
MOSTLY ON TOPIC
Stepping out the essay
Read your thesis statement first. Then, go back through each and EVERY line of your essay to determine whether or not you stayed on topic. Draw the process on the side of your essay.
THESIS

6. Step 5: Look for repetitive wording and ideas
Step 5: Look for repetitive wording and ideas. Step 6: Where did you go wrong? How could you have gone from a 1 to a 2, a 2 to a 3? Fill out your writer’s reflection sheet for your writing portfolio.