Editing Narrative Paragraphs
After making big changes to improve your paragraph, you need to make little changes (editing) to correct any remaining errors. You'll look for problems with sentences, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, usage, and spelling. The following activities will help you edit your writing.
Editing for the Right Word
The words to, two, and too are easily confused because they sound exactly alike. However, each word means something different.
- Two means the number 2.
My family owns two dogs.
- To indicates direction. It also is used with verbs.
- Too means “also.”
I rode my bike to the zoo to see the polar bear.
Jason likes karate, too.
Choose the right word (two, to, too).
Select the correct word in parentheses.
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My ( two, to, too ) brothers are coming ( two, to, too ) the show. My ( two, to, too ) brothers are coming ( two, to, too ) the show.
- Are you going ( two, to, too ) see the movie, ( two, to, too )? Are you going ( two, to, too ) see the movie, ( two, to, too )?
- Quinn and I are like ( two, to, too ) peas in a pod. Quinn and I are like ( two, to, too ) peas in a pod.
- The ( two, to, too ) squirrels jumped from tree ( two, to, too ) tree. The ( two, to, too ) squirrels jumped from tree ( two, to, too ) tree.
- I’m ready ( two, to, too ) spend some time with my cousins. I’m ready ( two, to, too ) spend some time with my cousins.
- Vinny ran ( two, to, too ) his room ( two, to, too ) find his ( two, to, too ) video-game controllers. Vinny ran ( two, to, too ) his room ( two, to, too ) find his ( two, to, too ) video-game controllers.
- Horses like apples, and I do, ( two, to, too ). Horses like apples, and I do, ( two, to, too ).
- ( Two, To, Too ) of my best friends live in my neighborhood. ( Two, To, Too ) of my best friends live in my neighborhood.
- I used a search engine ( two, to, too ) find information about ( two, to, too ) art contests. I used a search engine ( two, to, too ) find information about ( two, to, too ) art contests.
- I, ( two, to, too ), enjoy reading books. I, ( two, to, too ), enjoy reading books.
Edit for the right word.
Read your paragraph, paying attention to every time you use two/to/too. Make sure you have used the correct form.
Editing in Action
When you edit, you check to make sure your paragraph is correct.
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Paragraph Before Edits
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Capitalization, punctuation, and word usage are corrected.
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Paragraph After Edits
Edit with a checklist.
Read each line. When you can answer each question with a yes, check it off. Make a copy of this Google doc or download a Word template.
Checking Grammar and Usage
- Are words used correctly (your/you’re, their/they’re, two/to/too)?
- Are sentences complete (no fragments or run-ons)?
- Do I use correct verbs (she sings a song, not she sing a song)
Checking Capitalization, Punctuation, and Spelling
- Are first words in sentences capitalized?
- Are proper names of people, places, and things capitalized?
- Do I use end punctuation after all my sentences?
- Are words correctly spelled?
Publishing Narrative Paragraphs
When you publish your narrative paragraph, you make it public, sharing it with others. First, you need to make a clean final copy of your work. Then you should find ways to share what you have written with classmates, your teacher, your family, and your friends.
Publishing a Final Copy
Create a final copy of your writing.
Include your revising and editing changes and read over your work a final time. (If you are working on a computer, spell-check your work.)
Reflecting on Your Writing
Reflect on your writing.
Complete the following form to think about what you learned.
