Rainbow Self-Editing
 Thesis Statement – GREEN- underline the thesis
statement in this essay, making sure it has a topic,
opinion, and reasoning.
 Restated Thesis in Conclusion- GREEN – underline
restated thesis; make sure the restated thesis is written in
different phrasing or wording.
 Transition Words- YELLOW- circle three transition words
or phrases you have used in your essay. Words like: first,
next, before, finally, as a result
 Pronouns- RED- circle words like: it, them, he, she, they,
that (anything that replaces a noun)
Rainbow Peer-Editing
 Paragraphs –YELLOW- Number the paragraphs. Are there at
least 5 paragraphs? Identify each paragraph. (Example:
Introduction, Body Paragraph 1, Body Paragraph 2, Body
Paragraph 3, Conclusion)
 Capitalization –RED- Does each sentence begin with a
capital letter? Do all proper nouns have capital letters?
Are any letters capitalized that shouldn’t be?
 Punctuation –RED- Are all periods and commas used
correctly? Are all quotations punctuated correctly? Did
they use the correct punctuation for each of the types of
sentences?
 Grammar & Usage/Correct Spelling –GREEN- Circle any
misspelled words. Are all the words spelled correctly? Make
sure they haven’t used a homophone (their, there, they’re)
Rainbow Editing
Author of Paper:
Name of Editor:
Instructions:
2. Write your name + Editor on the paper.
3. Read through your partner’s essay one time to get an idea of what they are trying to
say.
4. Get 8 different color pens, markers, pencils, etc.
5. Read through your partner’s essay again, this time read through following the
directions below. Use a different color to check for each of the following:

Thesis Statement – RED- highlight the thesis statement in this essay.

Paragraphs –YELLOW- Number the paragraphs. Are there at least 5 paragraphs? Is there
an introduction and a conclusion? Do these paragraphs follow the thesis statement?
Identify each paragraph. (Example: Introduction, Body Paragraph 1, Body Paragraph 2,
Body Paragraph 3, Conclusion)

Capitalization –PINK- does each sentence begin with a capital letter? Do all proper
nouns have capital letters? Are any letters capitalized that shouldn’t be?

Punctuation –BLUE- are all periods and commas used correctly? Are all quotations
punctuated correctly? Did they use the correct punctuation for each of the types of
sentences?

Grammar & Usage/Correct Spelling –GREEN- Circle any misspelled words. Are all the
words spelled correctly? Make sure they haven’t used a homophone (their, there,
they’re, etc.)

Word Choice – ORANGE- Highlight ALL descriptive words. Did they use a variety of
adjectives or just a limited vocabulary? (rice cake (boring) words: a lot, great, fun, good,
etc.)

Sentences & Paragraphs/Word Variety – RED- Circle the first word in each sentence. Do
the sentences start with the same word? Do sentences begin with different words?

Organization –BLACK- Do all sentences belong in this essay? Cross out any word or
sentence that should be omitted because it does NOT belong. Everything written should
be an extension of the THESIS STATEMENT.