Revising Sentence Structure for Clarity

This sequence guides 7th-grade students through the process of identifying and correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers. Students move from diagnostic reading to active revision, ultimately applying these grammar skills to their own writing to enhance clarity and flow.

Diagnosing Modifier Errors in Drafts

Students identify modifier errors in a sample narrative to understand how misplaced phrases can create unintended (and often humorous) meanings. They learn the logic behind subject-modifier proximity.

Fixing Dangling Modifiers

A deep dive into dangling modifiers, focusing on sentences where the logical subject is missing. Students practice reconstructing sentences to ensure the actor is clearly defined.

Enhancing Description with Correct Placement

Students practice drafting descriptive sentences from scratch, focusing on placing modifiers correctly to avoid ambiguity. They use a crowded market scene as inspiration.

Peer Revision for Sentence Clarity

Using a 'Red Pen of Power' coding system, students review peer drafts to find and fix modifier errors. This lesson emphasizes the collaborative nature of revision.

Publishing Polished Prose

Students finalize their work, creating 'Before and After' sentence exhibits to showcase their mastery of modifier placement and reflecting on the impact of clarity.