Draft

Use the ideas you gathered into your chart to begin your draft.

In some ways, life in the 1940s and life today are the same. In other ways, life is different.

Revise

When you revise a draft, you make your writing better. First you need to know what a reader thinks of your work. Robert read his paragraph to a partner.

Robert’s Draft

In the 1940s, people used special stamps to buy food. They grew gardens for food. Now we get food at the store. Today, we use money.

Robert’s partner says:

“I’m confused. What are you comparing?”

Then Robert knew he needed to make changes.

Robert’s Revision
illustration of text with proofreader's marks showing revisions

He added a signal word and moved his sentences.

Now follow these steps to revise your letter.

  • 1 DECIDE WHAT TO CHANGE

    Read to a partner. Ask your partner to list the things you compared. See if their list matches your planning chart. Do you need to add any comparison words? Do you need to move any text to help your writing make sense?

  • 2 MARK YOUR CHANGES

    If you need to replace text, use this mark: illustration of caret insertion mark that looks like an upside down V.

    If you need to move text, use this mark: illustration of proofreader's move mark, a circle with an arrow.

Reflect

  • • Did you use signal words?

  • • Is everything in a clear order?