Write, compare, revise

Three original exercises for teachers, tutors and writing groups. Allow about 15–20 minutes per exercise, plus discussion.

  1. Read the audience, facts and task.
  2. Write a first draft independently.
  3. Compare against the checklist and model.
  4. Revise a substantive choice and explain its effect on the reader.

Print learner sheets and facilitator notes separately if you want learners to attempt the task before seeing the models. Browser practice requires no account. Classroom reproduction is permitted with this credit and the task links retained.

Exercise 1 · Fictional practice

Turn notebook features into useful benefits

Audience: People who take meeting notes and need to find earlier decisions.

Write a 60–90-word product description. Connect each supplied feature to a specific task the reader does, then finish with one clear purchase action. Use only the supplied product facts.

First draft

Revision and reason for the change

Discussion rubric

For each check: 0 = not yet demonstrated; 1 = partly demonstrated; 2 = clearly demonstrated. Cite the words that support your judgment.

  1. ___ Each benefit explains how a supplied feature helps someone take or revisit meeting notes.
  2. ___ The description makes no unsupported price, material or performance claims.
  3. ___ The final line gives the reader one specific next action.

Matching free browser exercise:
https://www.copyworkapp.com/writing-workshop?brief=notebook-benefit

Facilitator notes · Exercise 1

Have learners draft before revealing this example. Other answers can satisfy the brief. Ask which exact words meet each check, then choose one substantive revision.

Model for comparison

Keep the decisions. Find the next steps. The Meeting notebook opens flat while you capture a discussion, so you can write without holding the cover down. Its 120 numbered pages give you a way to refer back to an earlier decision: note the page number alongside the action you need to follow up. Keep the conversation and its next steps in one place. Choose the Meeting notebook for your next meeting.

This rubric supports discussion, not certification. Do not score sales performance or demand a copy of the model. Share learner writing only with permission. This is fictional practice, not a real client result.

Exercise 2 · Fictional practice

Ask for a specific project review

Audience: Jamie, a colleague reviewing a fictional launch checklist.

Write a subject line and a short request email. State what Jamie should review, the response you need and the deadline. Explain the reason for the deadline without making it sound like a threat.

First draft

Revision and reason for the change

Discussion rubric

For each check: 0 = not yet demonstrated; 1 = partly demonstrated; 2 = clearly demonstrated. Cite the words that support your judgment.

  1. ___ Jamie can identify exactly what needs reviewing.
  2. ___ The response, deadline and reason for it are explicit.
  3. ___ The request is courteous without hiding the action in a long introduction.

Matching free browser exercise:
https://www.copyworkapp.com/writing-workshop?brief=project-request

Facilitator notes · Exercise 2

Have learners draft before revealing this example. Other answers can satisfy the brief. Ask which exact words meet each check, then choose one substantive revision.

Model for comparison

Subject: Launch checklist: review dates and owners by Thursday Hi Jamie, Could you review the dates and owners in the attached launch checklist? Please reply with your approval or specific edits by Thursday at 3 p.m., so I can share the final checklist on Friday. If that timing is difficult, please let me know which part you can review first. Thank you.

This rubric supports discussion, not certification. Do not score sales performance or demand a copy of the model. Share learner writing only with permission. This is fictional practice, not a real client result.

Exercise 3 · Fictional practice

Cut the padding from a notebook description

Audience: People choosing a notebook for meeting notes.

Edit the starting copy down to 35–50 words. Keep both product facts, explain their use for meeting notes, and end with one clear action. Remove repeated ideas and empty introductions before cutting useful information.

When it comes to taking notes during meetings, it can be useful to have a place where you can write down the things that are being discussed. The Meeting notebook is a notebook that has lay-flat binding, which means that it opens flat, and it also includes a total of 120 numbered pages. These numbered pages can be used when you want to refer back to notes from previous discussions. Consider choosing the Meeting notebook for taking notes at your next meeting.

First draft

Revision and reason for the change

Discussion rubric

For each check: 0 = not yet demonstrated; 1 = partly demonstrated; 2 = clearly demonstrated. Cite the words that support your judgment.

  1. ___ The revision retains lay-flat binding and 120 numbered pages.
  2. ___ Every sentence helps the reader understand the product or take the next step.
  3. ___ The revision is 35–50 words and does not add unsupported claims.

Matching free browser exercise:
https://www.copyworkapp.com/writing-workshop?brief=notebook-edit

Facilitator notes · Exercise 3

Have learners draft before revealing this example. Other answers can satisfy the brief. Ask which exact words meet each check, then choose one substantive revision.

Model for comparison

Keep meeting notes you can return to. The Meeting notebook opens flat while you write, and its 120 numbered pages help you refer back to earlier discussions. Choose the Meeting notebook for your next meeting.

This rubric supports discussion, not certification. Do not score sales performance or demand a copy of the model. Share learner writing only with permission. This is fictional practice, not a real client result.