Writing Your How-to Article, Peer Assessment and Revision

1. You will now start writing your how-to article. 
2. Before you begin, make sure you have completed your outline and received some feedback from another student.
3. Use your outline as a guide and remember you can look at the structure of a how-to article by revisiting the site we explored earlier: https://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page
4. CLICK HERE to make a copy of the template you will use when writing your article.
5. Share your article with another student so they can complete a peer assessment.
6. CLICK HERE to use the form to assess another student's article.
7. Let the teacher know you have completed the peer assessment and submitted the form.
8. Complete any revisions on your own how-to article once you receive your feedback. 

Here is the rubric that we will use for feedback during the revision process (it will be included the online form you will use) and also for the final evaluation:

• The headline is effective in catching the reader's attention and encouraging them to read more of the article.
• The instructions are clear and easy to understand and written in a step by step format. If necessary, a helpful material or supply list is provided.
• The introduction is brief but effective, explaining to the reader how this article will benefit. The conclusion effectively wraps up the article's main purpose.
• The reader is provided with additional tips or cautions that will benefit the reader by making the overall process smoother.
• There are less that three spelling. grammar and/or sentence structure issues.

Each one is worth 20 pts each for a total of 100 pts

Your How-to Article Outline and Evaluation Rubric Feedback

Your How-to Article Outline

Hopefully you have a working topic for your how-to article. If so, then you can start the next step. 

If not, please tell your teacher, so you can discuss some possible ideas.

1. CLICK HERE so you can make a copy of the outline you will need to complete using your Google Drive account.
2. Once you have completed the outline, share it with another student and have that student or another student share their copy.
3. CLICK HERE to complete the peer assessment form for that student's outline.
4. The teacher will print out the feedback you and the other student have provided . You can then look it over, discuss it with the other student and consider any changes before you start working on your article.

Evaluation Rubric Feedback

Below is a chart with results from what the class thinks should be included in the evaluation rubric.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

The five elements with the most votes were:

• Headline
• Step by step instructions
• Material or supply list
• Introduction
• Conclusion

The element that received the most answers to the question on what additional element should be included was spelling and/or grammar.

Most students felt the rubric should have a final score of 100%

Based on these results, the final rubric will include the following:

• Headline
• Step by step instructions (including a material or supply list where necessary)
• Introduction and conclusion
• Additional tips or cautions
• Spelling and grammar

Each elements will be worth 20 points each for a final total of 100. 

A more detailed rubric will be created shortly that you can use as a guide while you complete your final assignment and for peer to peer assessment.

Creating an Evaluation Rubric and "Expert Enough"

PART I of II - Creating the Evaluation Rubric

You spent some time reviewing how-to articles. Now are going to help decide what should be included in the evaluation (marking) rubric for the how-to article you write.

Remember, these are the elements that are usually included in an effective how-to article.

• An eye-catching short headline
• A good introduction that explains the purpose and benefits
• Step by step instructions that clearly explain the process
• Illustrations or photos that help the reader understand the instructions (if necessary)
• A list of materials or supplies that are needed, if necessary
• All the necessary details are included
• The language and word choice is simple and does not confuse the reader
• Any additional tips or cautions are are also provided (if necessary)
• A solid conclusion that reminds the reader about the benefits and purpose of the article
• If the article makes reference to any other sources, they are cited

CLICK HERE to complete the online activity that explores the elements listed above and what you think should be included in the marking rubric, how important each element is and what weight each should be given.

PART II of II - Expert Enough and Reflection

Before you start working on your own how-to article, it is important to reflect on your own abilities and your ability to learn more and also share with others what you already know.

Complete the form (link below) after you have read the following material from these two links:
First Link: https://expertenough.com/
Second Link: https://expertenough.com/538/the-expert-enough-manifesto

CLICK HERE to complete the form after you have read the material on the two links.

Peer Activity: Reviewing the How-to Articles

NOTE: Only complete this activity AFTER you did the previous one.

• In the first activity, you selected a how-to article and reviewed it.
• Now you will look at the different how-to articles selected by other students in the class.
• Below are links to all the how-to articles that other students reviewed.
• Look through them and select ONE of them and complete a second review.
• CLICK HERE to complete the second review.

How-to articles that were explored in class (DO NOT select the one you already explored):

https://www.wikihow.com/Boil-Eggs

https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Girl-to-Be-Your-Girlfriend

https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Handlebar-Risers-on-Your-Snowmobile

https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Brown-Rice

https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Emblems-From-Cars

https://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Burnout-on-a-Motorcycle

https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Donuts#Using-a-Rear-Wheel-Drive-Car_sub

https://www.wikihow.com/Fly-Fish

https://www.wikihow.com/Ice-Skate-Backwards

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Gravity-Bong-in-10-Minutes

https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Suicidal-Thoughts

https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Responsible-Pet-Parent

https://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Stress-in-Cats

https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Over-a-Fish%27s-Death

https://www.wikihow.com/Change-a-Tire

The How-To Article

"How to" Articles 

Photo from morguefile.com

We enjoy the feeling of accomplishment. This may be why - even in our modern consumer driven society where we can buy virtually any type of product - people still create in workshops, on the Internet, in the kitchen, in the garage and in the garden. What is sometimes even more fulfilling than an accomplishment is sharing with others how we did something.

Today, you will consider what make an effective and engaging "how to" article.

When you select an article look for the following:

• An eye-catching short headline
• A good introduction that explains the purpose and benefits of the article and/or what problem it is addressing
• Step by step instructions that clearly explain the process.
• Illustrations or photos that help the reader understand the instructions (if necessary)
• A list of materials or supplies that are needed, if necessary
• All the necessary details are included
• The language and word choice is simple and does not confuse the reader
• Any additional tips or cautions are are also provided (if necessary)
• A solid conclusion that reminds the reader about the benefits and purpose of the article
• If the article makes reference to any other sources, they are cited

Photo from:
https://pixabay.com/photos/tire-flat-fix-spare-car-606100/

YOUR TURN: How-To Article Review

For today's assignment, find an online how-to article and then review it based on the list provided above.

CLICK HERE for a suggested site where you can find articles.

CLICK HERE to complete your review of the article.