Case study integration - Tom

Content enhancement recall

Tom has been progressing with the writing process using the POWER model. The group is beginning to work on editing. Because there are many things to examine when editing, the practitioner has decided to use the acronym COPS - edit capitals, overall appearance, punctuation and spelling.

The following steps helped enhance recall of the editing acronym COPS:

• Direct instruction was provided on the skills required to edit (spelling, punctuation, etc.).
• A picture was put on an overhead of a police officer directing traffic (who was holding up a stop sign, but had COPS on the sign instead of STOP) - a handout was provided with the same picture.
• The role of police officers in stopping people from breaking rules and directing traffic was discussed and related to the role of editing (i.e. learners need to stop and edit their work before they are finished; if they don't edit, they are breaking the rules of the writing process).
• The acronym COPS was introduced, the practitioner went through each letter stating what it stands for, and then the group discussion was as follows:

Practitioner: So what does the "C" stand for in the acronym COPS?
Learner (Tom): Capitals.
Practitioner: Yes, and what do we need to do with our writing related to capitals?
Learner (Tom): I need to make sure that the sentences start with capitals.
Practitioner: Yes Tom, and what other words should have capitals?