Virginia SOL 12.W.3

12.W.3 is a Standards of Learning standard. These are the knowledge and skills expectations under it.

• 12.W.3.A

  Revise writing for clarity of content, accuracy, and depth of information.

• 12.W.3.B

  Use peer- and self-evaluation to edit writing for clarity and quality of information, addressing strengths and making suggestions regarding how writing might be...

• 12.W.3.C

  Edit writing for appropriate conventions, style, and language in informal and formal contexts. (See Language Usage for grade level expectations)

• 12.W.3.D

  Write and revise to a standard acceptable both in the workplace and in postsecondary education.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students revise drafts so ideas are clear, accurate, specific, and well supported. They use self and peer feedback to improve content, then edit grammar, tone, word choice, and format for the audience.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student can identify weak passages, explain each problem, and make changes that improve meaning rather than only correcting typos. The final piece uses accurate evidence, consistent tone, precise language, and correct conventions for college or workplace readers.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students often treat revision as proofreading and change punctuation without strengthening ideas. Peer comments may stay vague, such as “looks good,” or rewrite the paper instead of identifying a problem and suggesting a fix. Students may also use casual language in formal work or choose complicated wording that reduces clarity.

04

How to Assess It

Give students a flawed 150-word email with one vague claim, one unsupported detail, one tone problem, and three convention errors. Ask them to revise it and explain four changes.

1. 01

   Print a weak paragraph, cut it into sentences, and have pairs reorder it, replace vague wording, and add one verified supporting detail.

2. 02

   Compare two cover letter paragraphs, then write which one better suits an employer and cite three language choices.

3. 03

   Run a revision relay where teams earn points for finding and fixing content, tone, and convention problems in a projected draft.

4. 04

   Have students revise a casual message into a professional email requesting a deadline extension from a professor or supervisor.

• 11.W.3

  The 11th Grade version of this standard.

• 1.W.3

  The 1st Grade version of this standard.

• 10.W.3

  The 10th Grade version of this standard.

• 9.W.3

  The 9th Grade version of this standard.