Editing and Publishing Persuasive Essays

By Anonymous (not verified), 12 March, 2026
Grade Level
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.4
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.5
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.2
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.4
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.5
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.2
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.4
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.5
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.2
Mode
Persuasive Writing
Form
Persuasive Essay
Unit Lesson Body

Editing Persuasive Essays

After making big changes to improve your persuasive essay, you need to make little (but important) changes to correct any remaining errors. When you edit, you look for problems with sentences, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, usage, and spelling. The following activities will help you edit and publish your writing.

Editing for Subject-Verb Agreement

The two past-tense forms of the “be” verb (was and were) often cause problems when it comes to subject-verb agreement. (Was is singular, and were is plural.)

Katrice was in study hall when the first alarm went off.

"Katrice" is a singular subject, and "was" is a singular verb.

The lunch trays were found in a huge cupboard.

“Trays” is a plural subject, and “were” is a plural verb. The subject and verb agree in number.

Note: Always use the plural verb “were” with the subject “you,” whether “you” is singular or plural in number.

You were the hardest worker at the festival.

In this sentence “you” is a singular subject.

You were the last students to finish the test.

In this sentence “you” is a plural subject.

Choose the correct verb.

Highlight or underline the verb that agrees in number with the subject in each of the following sentences. Make a copy of this Google doc or download a Word template.

  1. We (was, werewere) going to the mall to look for new shoes.
  2. My three best friends (was, werewere) late for the bus.
  3. During the first quarter, Aldwin (waswas, were) poked in the eye.
  4. You (was, werewere) the only student to answer every question.
  5. Bianca (waswas, were) on the honor roll every quarter last year.
  6. You (was, werewere) the first fans to enter the field house.
  7. Five students (was, werewere) honored during the assembly.
  8. My uncle (waswas, were) living in Florida when I visited him.
  9. We (was, werewere) late for school this morning.
  10. You (was, werewere) a true friend last night.

Check subject-verb agreement.

Review your essay to make sure the subjects and verbs agree. Pay special attention to "be" verbs.

Editing for the Right Word

Some words sound the same but have different meanings and spellings.

Practice your speech until you're confident in what you want to say.

  • Your is “owned by you.”
  • You’re is a contraction of “you are.”

It's okay if its not perfect at first.

  • It’s is a contraction of “it is.”
  • Its is “owned by it.”

Listeners will give you their support if they're certain you care about your topic.

  • They’re is a contraction of “they are.”'
  • Their is “owned by them.”

When these word have apostrophes (’), they are contractions. When they don’t, they show ownership.

Watch the video "Using the Right Word."

Hide video

Choose the right word.

Underline the correct word in parentheses.

  1. (Its, It'sIt's) natural to feel nervous about public speaking.
  2. Remember, (your, you'reyou're) not the first person to feel anxious about giving a speech.
  3. There are many ways to ease (youryour, you’re) stage fright.
  4. (Your, You'reYou're) more likely to feel confident going into (youryour, you’re) speech with practice and repetition.
  5. Some people say (its, it'sit's) best to practice out loud in front of the mirror.
  6. Other people say (their, they'rethey're) more comfortable after practicing in front of (they’re, theirtheir) friends and family.
  7. Speakers do best when when (their, they'rethey're) knowledgeable and enthusiastic about (theirtheir, they’re) topic.
  8. Research your topic thoroughly so that can you speak knowledgeably about (itsits, it’s) important parts or features.
  9. When (its, it'sit's) time to give your speech, stand up straight, take a deep breath, and begin.
  10. Introduce your listeners to what (their, they'rethey're) about to learn.

Editing in Action

When you edit, you check to make sure your essay is correct.

  • Paragraph Before Edits

    Editing

  • Agreement and usage errors are fixed as well as missing capital letters and commas.

    Editing

  • Paragraph After Edits

    Editing

Edit with a checklist.

Read each line. When you can answer each question with a yes, check it off.

Punctuation

  • Did I close each sentence with an end punctuation mark?
  • Do commas follow four or more introductory words?

Capitalization

  • Are the first words in sentences capitalized?
  • Are proper names of people, places, and things capitalized?

Grammar

  • Do all subjects and verbs agree?
  • Are sentences complete (no fragments or run-ons)?

Usage

  • Are words used correctly (your/you’re, their/they’re, its/it’s)?
  • Are may, might, must, and other helping verbs used correctly?

Spelling

  • Did I check for spelling?
  • Did I use a dictionary or the spell checker on my computer?

Publishing Persuasive Essays

When you publish your persuasive essay, 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 your writing 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.

Reflection Sheet
Lesson Downloads (Word)
WritingPersuasiveEssays_EditingForSubjectVerbAgreement.docx (22.94 KB)
WritingPersuasiveEssays_EditingForSubjectVerbAgreement.docx (22.94 KB)
WritingPersuasiveEssays_EditingForSubjectVerbAgreement.docx (22.94 KB)
WritingPersuasiveEssays_EditingForSubjectVerbAgreement.docx (22.94 KB)
Lesson Plan Google Links
Editing for Subject-Verb Agreement
Editing for the Right Word
Editing in Action
Reflecting on Your Writing
Templates
Template Name
Editing for Subject-Verb Agreement
Template Content

Student:

Date:

Choose the correct verb.

Highlight or underline the verb that agrees in number with the subject in each of the following sentences.

1. We (was, were) going to the mall to look for new shoes.

2. My three best friends (was, were) late for the bus.

3. During the first quarter, Aldwin (was, were) poked in the eye.

4. You (was, were) the only student to answer every question.

5. Bianca (was, were) on the honor roll every quarter last year.

6. You (was, were) the first fans to enter the field house.

7. Five students (was, were) honored during the assembly.

8. My uncle (was, were) living in Florida when I visited him.

9. We (was, were) late for school this morning.

10. You (was, were) a true friend last night.

© Thoughtful Learning               From Write on Course 20-20 and the unit Writing Persuasive Essays

Template Name
Editing for the Right Word
Template Content

Student:

Date:

Choose the right word.

Underline the correct word in parentheses.

1. (Its, It’s) natural to feel nervous about public speaking.

2. Remember, (your, you’re) not the first person to feel anxious about giving a speech.

3. There are many ways to ease (your, you’re) stage fright.

4. (Your, You’re) more likely to feel confident going into (your, you’re) speech with practice and repetition.

5. Some people say (its, it’s) best to practice out loud in front of the mirror.

6. Other people say (their, they’re) more comfortable after practicing in front of (they’re, their) friends and family.

7. Speakers do best when (their, they’re) knowledgeable and enthusiastic about (their, they’re) topic.

8. Research your topic thoroughly so that can you speak knowledgeably about (its, it’s) important parts or features.

9. When (its, it’s) time to give your speech, stand up straight, take a deep breath, and begin.

10. Introduce your listeners to what (their, they’re) about to learn.

© Thoughtful Learning               From Write on Course 20-20 and the unit Writing Persuasive Essays

Template Name
Editing in Action
Template Content

Student:

Date:

Edit with a checklist.

Read each line. When you can answer each question with a yes, check it off.

Punctuation

Did I close each sentence with an end punctuation mark?

Do commas follow four or more introductory words?

Capitalization

Are the first words in sentences capitalized?

Are proper names of people, places, and things capitalized?

Grammar

Do all subjects and verbs agree?

Are sentences complete (no fragments or run-ons)?

Usage

Are words used correctly (your/you’re, their/they’re, its/it’s)?

Are may, might, must, and other helping verbs used correctly?

Spelling

Did I check for spelling?

Did I use a dictionary or the spell checker on my computer?

© Thoughtful Learning               From Write on Course 20-20 and the unit Writing Persuasive Essays

Template Name
Reflecting on Your Writing
Template Content

Student:

Date:

Reflect on your writing.

Complete the following form to think about what you learned.

Reflection Sheet

Writer's name:

Title:

1. What I like most about my persuasive essay is . . .

2. One thing I could still improve in my essay is . . .

3. The most important thing I learned about writing a persuasive essay is . . .

4. One question I have about persuasive essay writing is . . .

5. The next time I write a persuasive essay, I will . . .

© Thoughtful Learning               From Write on Course 20-20 and the unit Writing Persuasive Essays

Unit Container Label
Writing Persuasive Essays
Unit Container D7 ID
Writing Persuasive Essays
Lesson Weight
6