Editing Workshop
Learn
Good writers are also good editors! After you write about a chapter book, you need to check your work for mistakes. This lesson teaches you how to find and fix errors in your writing.
The COPS Editing Strategy
- C - Capitalization: Check that sentences start with capital letters and names are capitalized
- O - Organization: Make sure your ideas are in order and make sense
- P - Punctuation: Check for periods, question marks, and commas
- S - Spelling: Look for misspelled words
Common Mistakes to Look For
- Forgetting capital letters at the start of sentences
- Missing periods at the end of sentences
- Run-on sentences (two sentences stuck together)
- Sentence fragments (incomplete sentences)
- Misspelled sight words
Examples
Example 1: Capitalization Fix
Before: the main character is named charlotte. she is a spider.
After: The main character is named Charlotte. She is a spider.
Fix: Added capital letters at the start of sentences and for the character's name.
Example 2: Punctuation Fix
Before: Why did Wilbur feel sad he missed his friend
After: Why did Wilbur feel sad? He missed his friend.
Fix: Added a question mark and period.
Example 3: Run-on Sentence Fix
Before: Charlotte was wise she helped Wilbur.
After: Charlotte was wise. She helped Wilbur.
Fix: Split the run-on into two sentences.
Practice
Fix the errors in each sentence below.
1. Fix this sentence: "the boy read his book at the library"
A) The boy read his book at the library.
B) the Boy read his book at the library.
C) The boy read his book at the Library.
Answer
A - Capitalize the first word of the sentence.
2. Which sentence has correct punctuation?
A) What is the main idea.
B) What is the main idea?
C) What is the main idea
Answer
B - Questions need question marks.
3. Fix this run-on: "Sam went home he ate dinner"
A) Sam went home, he ate dinner.
B) Sam went home. He ate dinner.
C) Sam went home he, ate dinner.
Answer
B - Split into two complete sentences.
4. Which word is spelled correctly?
A) becuse
B) becuase
C) because
Answer
C - "Because" is the correct spelling.
5. Fix: "My favorite character is harry potter"
A) My favorite character is Harry Potter.
B) my favorite character is Harry Potter.
C) My favorite character is harry Potter.
Answer
A - Capitalize the character's first and last name.
6. Which is a complete sentence?
A) Running to school.
B) The dog ran fast.
C) Because it was raining.
Answer
B - It has a subject (dog) and a complete action (ran fast).
7. Fix: "i read three chapters yesterday"
A) I read three chapters yesterday.
B) i Read three chapters yesterday.
C) I read Three chapters yesterday.
Answer
A - The word "I" is always capitalized.
8. Which sentence uses a comma correctly?
A) First I read, the chapter.
B) First, I read the chapter.
C) First I read the, chapter.
Answer
B - Use a comma after introductory words like "First."
9. Fix: "She said I like this book"
A) She said, "I like this book."
B) She said I like this book.
C) "She said I like this book."
Answer
A - Use quotation marks and a comma for dialogue.
10. Which spelling is correct?
A) freind
B) frend
C) friend
Answer
C - "Friend" follows the "i before e" rule.
Next Steps
- Practice editing your own writing using COPS
- Ask a partner to check your work
- Continue to the Unit Checkpoint