Business Writing · Lesson Plan
Business Writing: Commonly Misused Words
Part 3 of the punctuation-and-grammar series targets the word mix-ups that slip past spell-check and undermine professional writing: their/there/they’re, your/you’re, its/it’s, affect/effect, then/than, and the other usual suspects. Students learn the difference in each pair, why it matters in business communication, and practice choosing the right word on a worksheet.
For Teachers
Lesson at a glance
- Topic
- Business Writing
- Grade Level
- Grades 9–12
- Resource Type
- Lesson + Worksheet
- Estimated Time
- 45–60 minutes
- Format
- Lesson + worksheet
- Materials
- Printable lesson, worksheet, pencils
What Students Learn
Learning objectives
- Distinguish commonly confused word pairs
- Choose the correct word in context
- Explain why spell-check misses these errors
- Recognize how misused words hurt credibility
- Proofread business writing for word-choice errors
Materials
What you’ll need
- Printed lesson and worksheet (one per student)
- Pencils
Key Terms
Vocabulary
- Homophone
- A word that sounds like another but differs in meaning.
- Its / It’s
- Possessive vs. the contraction of ‘it is.’
- Their / There / They’re
- Possessive, place, and ‘they are.’
- Affect / Effect
- Usually a verb vs. usually a noun.
- Your / You’re
- Possessive vs. ‘you are.’
- Proofreading
- Checking writing for word-choice and other errors.
For Teachers
Lesson plan
Estimated time: one 45–60 minute class period.
Lesson sequence
- Why spell-check misses them (8 min). Real words used wrongly slip through.
- The usual suspects (17 min). their/there/they’re, your/you’re, its/it’s, affect/effect, then/than.
- In context (10 min). Choose the right word in business sentences.
- Worksheet (15 min). Students correct misused words in a sample document.
Assessment
Assess the worksheet for correct word choices in each pair.
Discussion
Discussion questions
- Why does spell-check miss these errors?
- What is the difference between its and it’s?
- When do you use affect vs. effect?
- How do their, there, and they’re differ?
- How can one wrong word hurt your credibility?
Printable Lesson & Worksheet
Business Writing: Commonly Misused Words — Lesson & Worksheet
A printable business-writing lesson and worksheet on commonly misused words: their/there/they’re, your/you’re, its/it’s, affect/effect, and more.
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