Copy Desk Worksheet
Editing Desk #104 Language Arts Core Skills
The Copy Desk
Mastering Capitalization, Verb Tense, and Punctuation
Name:
Date:
Period:
Score:
Symbols: underline 3x = Capitalize (ABC) / slash = Lowercase (abc) ^ caret = Insert punctuation ~ loop = Fix verb tense
1
Capitalization Patrol
16 Total Errors to Fix
Directions: Find and fix the exact number of capitalization errors indicated in each sentence tag. Cross out incorrect letters and write the corrected words on the blank line.
last summer, my aunt elena visited yellowstone national park and took photos of old faithful.
4 errors
during our english class on wednesday, mr. diaz announced, "tomorrow we read chapter four of the lightning thief."
5 errors
many tourists travel to the city of seattle to visit the space needle and eat fresh pacific salmon.
3 errors
in october, the french exchange students will travel across the midwest to see lake michigan.
4 errors
2
Verb Tense Calibration
5 Total Errors (1 per sentence)
Directions: Each sentence below contains exactly 1 verb tense shift error. Underline the shifting verb, then write its corrected form on the line.
- Maya sprinted toward home plate, slides into the dirt, and scored the winning run.
Correct:
- When the bell rings, the hallway echoes with laughter and locker doors slammed shut.
Correct:
- The scientists examined the meteor fragment and find traces of rare crystal minerals.
Correct:
- We were hiking up the ridge when thunder rumbles ominously across the valley.
Correct:
- Jordan baked blueberry muffins this morning and brings three dozen to school.
Correct:
Turn over to Page 2 for Punctuation Practice and the Front Page Mixed Editing Scoop! Page 1 of 2
The Copy Desk | Page 2: Punctuation & Mixed Field Editing
Name:
3
Punctuation Precision
16 Total Errors (4 per sentence)
Directions: Insert missing punctuation directly into each sentence using carets (^). Each sentence has exactly 4 punctuation errors to fix (use the hints below).
Although the weather forecast called for heavy rain our team brought jackets umbrellas and extra cleats
(Fix 4 errors: 1 introductory comma, 2 list commas, 1 terminal period)
4 errors
Dont touch that hot beaker shouted the lab instructor unless you are wearing safety gloves
(Fix 4 errors: 1 apostrophe, 2 sets of quotation marks, 1 dialogue mark)
4 errors
The students backpacks were stacked against the wall but nobody could find Lucass green binder
(Fix 4 errors: 2 apostrophes, 1 conjunction comma, 1 terminal period)
4 errors
Will you help me carry these poster boards to room 14 asked Marcus or are you heading straight to lunch
(Fix 4 errors: 2 sets of quotation marks, 1 dialogue comma, 1 question mark)
4 errors
4
The Newsroom Scoop: Mixed Editing Passage
10 Total Hidden Errors (4 Cap • 3 Tense • 3 Punc)
Directions: Proofread this draft. There are exactly 10 errors to find (4 Capitalization, 3 Verb Tense, 3 Punctuation). Locate and mark all 10, then log any 6 of them in the table below.
Draft Dispatch: "Robotics Champions Return in Triumph"
[L1] on tuesday afternoon the oak creek middle school robotics club returned from chicago illinois with the first-place
[L2] trophy. coach ramirez smiled proudly as the team steps off the bus and greeted the cheering crowd. "we practiced
[L3] every saturday since november said team captain devon, and our hard work paid off!" the robots gear mechanism
[L4] failed during the semifinal match, but the engineers quick repair saved the day and sends the team to finals
Editor's Error Log (Record 6 errors you found above) Categories: Cap (Capitalization) | Tense (Verb Tense) | Punc (Punctuation)
| Line # | Error in Text | Correction / Fix | Type (Cap/Tense/Punc) |
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The Copy Desk • Middle School Language Arts Editing Series Page 2 of 2
Copy Desk Answer Key
Teacher Resource Answer Key & Guide
The Copy Desk — Answer Key
Solutions, Rules Reference, and Error Counts for Worksheet #104
Middle School ELA Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.1-2, L.7.1-2, L.8.1-2
1
Capitalization Patrol (16 Total Errors)
4 Sentences • 16 Pts
1. Aunt Elena / Yellowstone / Old Faithful 4 errors
Corrected: "Last summer, my Aunt Elena visited Yellowstone National Park and took photos of Old Faithful."
Rule: Kinship titles preceding a personal name (Aunt Elena), official park names, and specific landmarks.
2. English / Wednesday / Mr. Diaz / The Lightning Thief 5 errors
Corrected: "During our English class on Wednesday, Mr. Diaz announced, 'Tomorrow we read chapter four of The Lightning Thief.'"
Rule: Language subjects, days of the week, honorific titles with surnames, direct quotes, and book title words.
3. Seattle / Space Needle / Pacific 3 errors
Corrected: "Many tourists travel to the city of Seattle to visit the Space Needle and eat fresh Pacific salmon."
Rule: Proper adjectives derived from proper nouns (Pacific) are capitalized; common species nouns (salmon) remain lowercase.
4. October / French / Midwest / Lake Michigan 4 errors
Corrected: "In October, the French exchange students will travel across the Midwest to see Lake Michigan."
Rule: Months, nationalities, defined geographical regions (the Midwest vs. heading west), and bodies of water.
2
Verb Tense Calibration (5 Total Errors)
5 Items (1 per item) • 10 Pts
- Offending verb: slides Sentence anchors: sprinted (past) and scored (past).
Correct: slid
- Offending verb: slammed Sentence anchors: rings (present) and echoes (present).
Correct: slam
- Offending verb: find Sentence anchor: examined (past). Investigation was completed.
Correct: found
- Offending verb: rumbles Sentence anchor: were hiking (past progressive). Interrupted past event.
Correct: rumbled
- Offending verb: brings Sentence anchor: baked (past) + past timeframe ("this morning").
