StarTeaching Writing Ideas

We believe that the most dramatic improvements in writing occur at the first steps in the writing process, and that is where we will focus our efforts.  Have your students concentrate on many activities where they brainstorm & organize, and then write out a draft.  This draft might be several sentences, a paragraph, or an essay, or it may be an entry in a journal, a shopping list, a love letter, a poem, a rap, a set of song lyrics, or another type of writing.  

That's not to say that editing, proofreading, and publishing are not important;  on the contrary, these are vital steps for students AFTER they have mastered the first two steps.  As a teacher, you don't have to take every assignment to a final form.  

Its similar to sports.  You want to practice your fundamental skills in basketball before trying to play a game.  The same is true in writing.  Have your students practice the various skills of writing many times before you expect an awesome, polished piece of writing from them. 

 

Writing Terminology
There are a number of important terms we use for commonality.  It is important to use the same terminology to unify our efforts and so students are all on the same page.  Its easy for students to be confused when teachers do not use the same terms.  It may seem natural for us teachers, but it is often difficult for students.  
WRITING PROCESS TERMS: PARAGRAPH TERMS: GENERIC WRITING TERMS:
BRAINSTORMING:
Thinking of ideas and writing these down on your paper before you begin the actual writing		 CLINCHER STATEMENT:
This sentence wraps up, provides closure, and concludes the writing. It tells the reader what you have told them.  At advanced levels, this sentence will also provide a Theme for writing		 ESSAY:
This is an extended writing assignment utilizing at least two (or more) paragraphs working together to expand and discuss a topic with more specific detail and examples. 
DRAFTING:
Writing activity in which students transfer their thoughts on a topic into a written or textual form.  This may be sentences, a paragraph, or an essay format.  Mistakes and corrections are expected so students can improve.		 DETAILS:
These are the facts, examples, and statistics that make up a Support.  These can be in the form of information from charts, graphs, and even quotes.  		 FCAs:
Focal Correction Areas, these are the specific areas in the rubric for students to focus and work on for a particular work.  We begin with FCAs on form and format, then move on to other areas as students master these.  
EDITING:
Revising for content.  This is where students should look to add, remove, or change their ideas 		 LEAD:
A Personal Life Experience at the beginning of an essay to hook the reader and relate the writing topic to a related concept outside the classroom.		 FLOW & FLUENCY:
The interconnectedness of the ideas in a piece of writing.  Ideas should flow logically  from one to the next, and the reader should follow the presentation without difficulty.  
ORGANIZING:
This is the activity of thinking about what they have brainstormed and developing a plan for writing.  		 PERSONAL LIFE EXPERIENCE:
This is the students' voice in the writing, a sentence where students incorporate a real life experience  or a related concept which directly connects to the writing topic		 FORM & FORMAT:
This is the basic 'skeleton' or structure of the paragraph or essay.  
PREWRITING:
The work and thinking that occurs before the students actually start their writing.  This consists of two parts, Brainstorming & Organizing		 SUPPORTS:
These are sentences which support the Topic Sentence, and include several details that back opinions or answers stated by the writer		 HOOK:
A sentence at the beginning of a paragraph or essay that grabs the reader's attention.  Common hooks will pose questions, give a startling statement, provide unusual facts, or tell a story (a Lead)
PROOFREADING:
Checking over your work for mistakes in spelling, grammar, mechanics, and usage, and then fixing them.  		 THEME:
A life lesson, moral, or message that the reader should learn from reading the paper.		 PARAGRAPH:
A group of related sentences that work together to present a response to a writing topic.  At a basic level, Paragraphs must include a Topic Sentence, Supports, and a Clincher.  
PUBLISHING:
A final copy of your work, free from errors and ready for a real audience to view it.  		 TOPIC SENTENCE:
This sentence introduces the topic of your writing.  It tells the reader what you are going to tell them.  At advanced levels, this sentence will Hook the reader's attention and provide the focus for writing.		 RUBRIC:
A guarantee of getting an 'A' on the assignment.  This is the set of criteria used to grade a piece of writing.  Students and teachers both know the rubric ahead of time so both understand the expectations. 
REVISION:
Students working with a piece of writing or text to 		   VOICE:
Sound, tone, and individuality in a piece of writing.  Voice includes personal experience and creative writing.  It should be as if the student was reading the work aloud.  
     
     
     

 

RUBRICS

 

Writing Rubric:  Kindergarten  

  

Writing Rubric:  1st Grade

PREWRITE
1.  Brainstorm Ideas
          a.  Draw a picture

2.  Organize Work
          a.  Discuss in class

WRITE THE PARAGRAPH
1.  Use drawings, words, word-like clusters, and/or sentences

 

  PREWRITE
1.  Brainstorm Ideas
          a.  Graphic Organizer
            b. Web

2.  Organize Work
          a.  Chronological Order
          b.  Order of Importance

  WRITE THE PARAGRAPH
1.  Topic Sentence (Beginning)
2.  One Support Sentence (Middle)
      a.  An example or detail to explain  
          the central idea
3.  Clincher Statement (End)

GUIDELINES

1.      Write one or two connected sentences

2.      Brainstorming & Organizing first!
a.  Students draw a picture

3.      One or Two sentences:

Try to get connected ideas between the sentences

MINIMUM GUIDELINES 
(Writing the Paragraph)

1.      Write three or more connected sentences

2.      Brainstorming & Organizing first!
a.  Students write down at least 5 items

3.      Three sentences:
a.     Topic Sentence
b.    One supporting sentence
c.     Clincher statement

 

Writing Rubric:  2nd Grade   Writing Rubric:  3rd Grade

PREWRITE

1.  Brainstorm Ideas
          a.  Graphic Organizer
            b. Web

2.  Organize Work
          a.  Chronological Order
          b.  Order of Importance

WRITE THE PARAGRAPH

1.  Topic Sentence (central idea)
          a.  Tells what you are going to tell the reader in the paragraph

2.  Two Support Sentences
          a.  An example or detail to explain the central idea
          b.  A personal life experience that relates to the topic

  3.  Clincher Statement
          a.  Tells what you have told them (wrap up)

 

PREWRITE

1.  Brainstorm Ideas
          a.  Graphic Organizer
          b. Word bank/list
          c.  Venn diagram
          d.  Web
          e.  Who/What/Where/When/Why/How/So What

2.  Organize Work
          a.  Chronological Order
          b.  Order of Importance

WRITE THE PARAGRAPH

1.  Topic Sentence (central idea)
          a.  Tells what you are going to tell the reader in the paragraph

2.  Support Sentences
          a.  Facts or statistics from a book
          b.  Charts or graphs
          c.  Quotes from readings

3.  Clincher Statement
          a.  Summarizing the paragraph
          b.  Tells what you have told them (wrap up)

MINIMUM GUIDELINES 
(Writing the Paragraph)

1.      Two Paragraph Clusters

2.      Brainstorming & Organizing first!
a.  Students write down at least 5 items

3.      Four sentences:
a.     Topic Sentence
b.    Two or more supporting sentences
c.     Clincher statement

MINIMUM GUIDELINES (Writing the Paragraph)

1.      40 words or more

2.      Brainstorming & Organizing first!
a.  Students write down at least 5 items

3.      Five sentences:
a.     Topic Sentence
b.    Three or more supporting sentences
c.     Clincher statement

 

Writing Rubric:  4th Grade Writing Rubric:  5th Grade

PREWRITE

1.  Brainstorm Ideas
          a.  Graphic Organizer
            b. Word bank/list
          c.  Venn diagram
          d.  Web
          e.  Who/What/Where/When/Why/How/So What  

2.  Organize Work
          a.  Chronological Order
          b.  Order of Importance

WRITE THE PARAGRAPH

1.  Topic Sentence (central idea)

          a.  Tells what you are going to tell the reader in the paragraph

2.  Support Sentences
          a.  Facts or statistics from a book
          b.  Charts or graphs
          c.  Quotes from readings

3.  Clincher Statement
          a.  Summarizing the paragraph
          b.  Tells what you have told them (wrap up)

PREWRITE

1.  Brainstorm Ideas (6 items)
          a.  Graphic Organizer
             b. Word bank/list
          c.  Venn diagram
          d.  Web
          e.  Who/What/Where/When/Why/How/So What  

2.  Organize Work
          a.  Chronological Order
          b.  Order of Importance

WRITE THE PARAGRAPH

1.  Topic Sentence (central idea)
          a.  Tells what you are going to tell the reader in the paragraph

2.  Support Sentences
          a.  2 Facts or statistics from a book
          b.  or Charts or graphs
          c.  or Quotes from readings
          d.  1 sentence from the students’ Personal Life Experience

3.  Clincher Statement
          a.  Summarizing the paragraph
          b.  Tells what you have told them (wrap up)

MINIMUM GUIDELINES (Writing the Paragraph)

1.      50 words or more

2.      Brainstorming & Organizing first!
    a.  Students write down at least 5 items

3.      Five sentences:
a.     Topic Sentence
b.    Three or more supporting sentences
c.     Clincher statement

MINIMUM GUIDELINES (Writing the Paragraph)

1.      60 words or more

2.      Brainstorming & Organizing first!
    a.  Students write down at least 6 items

3.      Five sentences:
a.     Topic Sentence
b.    Three or more supporting sentences
c.     Clincher statement

 

Writing Rubric:  6th Grade   Writing Rubric:  7th Grade

PREWRITE

1.  Brainstorm Ideas (8 items)
          a.  Graphic Organizer
          b. Word bank/list
          c.  Venn diagram
          d.  Web
          e.  Who/What/Where/When/Why/How/So What

2.  Organize Work
          a.  Chronological Order
          b.  Order of Importance

WRITE THE PARAGRAPH

1.  Topic Sentence (central idea)
          a.  Tells what you are going to tell the reader in the paragraph
          b.  Answers the given question or states your opinion

2.  Support Sentences
          a.  3 Facts or statistics from a book
          b.  Examples can be from Charts or graphs
          c.  or Quotes from readings

3.  Personal Life Experience (2 sentences long)
          a.  Examples of things that happened to you
          b.  Stories, personal narratives, examples of things that happened to other people

4.  Clincher Statement
          a.  Summarizing the paragraph
          b.  or Restates your answer to the question
          c.  or Restates your opinion
          d.  Many times includes a ‘message for life’ (a Theme)

 

PREWRITE

1.  Brainstorm Ideas (8 items)
          a.  Graphic Organizer
          b. Word bank/list
          c.  Venn diagram
          d.  Web
          e.  Who/What/Where/When/Why/How/So What

2.  Organize Work
          a.  Chronological Order
          b.  Order of Importance

WRITE THE PARAGRAPH

1.  Topic Sentence (central idea)
          a.  Tells what you are going to tell the reader in the paragraph
          b.  Answers the given question or states your opinion

2.  Support Sentences
          a.  3 Facts or statistics from a book
          b.  Examples can be from Charts or graphs
          c.  or Quotes from readings

3.  Personal Life Experience (2 sentences long)
          a.  Examples of things that happened to you
          b.  Stories, personal narratives, examples of things that happened to other people

4.  Clincher Statement
          a.  Summarizing the paragraph
          b.  or Restates your answer to the question
          c.  or Restates your opinion
          d.  Many times includes a ‘message for life’ (a Theme)

 

MINIMUM GUIDELINES 
(Writing the Paragraph)

1.      80 words or more

2.      Brainstorming & Organizing first!
a.  Students write down at least 8 items

3.      Eight sentences:
a.     Topic Sentence
b.    Three or more supporting sentences
c.     Two or more sentences of a Personal Life Experience
d.    Clincher statement

MINIMUM GUIDELINES 
(Writing the Paragraph)

1.      100 words or more

2.      Brainstorming & Organizing first!
a.  Students write down at least 8 items

3.      Eight sentences:
a.     Topic Sentence
b.    Three or more supporting sentences
c.     Two or more sentences of a Personal Life Experience
d.    Clincher statement

 

Writing Rubric:  8th Grade

    

PREWRITE

1.  Brainstorm Ideas (10 items)
          a.  Graphic Organizer
            b. Word bank/list
          c.  Venn diagram
          d.  Web
          e.  Who/What/Where/When/Why/How/So What

2.  Organize Work
          a.  Chronological Order
          b.  Order of Importance  

WRITE THE PARAGRAPH

1.  Topic Sentence (central idea)
          a.  Tells what you are going to tell the reader in the paragraph
          b.  Answers the given question or states your opinion

2.  Support Sentences
          a.  3 Facts or statistics from a book
          b.  Examples can be from Charts or graphs
          c.  or Quotes from readings

3.  Personal Life Experience (2 sentences long)
          a.  Examples of things that happened to you
          b.  Stories, personal narratives, examples of things that happened to other people

4.  Clincher Statement
          a.  Summarizing the paragraph
          b.  or Restates your answer to the question
          c.  or Restates your opinion
          d.  Many times includes a ‘message for life’ (a Theme)

 

MINIMUM GUIDELINES 
(Writing the Paragraph)

1.      125 words or more

2.      Brainstorming & Organizing first!
    a.  Students write down at least 10 items

3.      Eight sentences:
a.     Topic Sentence
b.    Three or more supporting sentences
c.     Two or more sentences of a Personal Life Experience
d.    Clincher statement

 

 

     
     
     

 

 

 

 

INDIVIDUAL PARAGRAPHS

Topic Sentence:  _______________________________________________________________________________  

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

THREE SUPPORTS (facts/examples):                                             Details about each Support:

1.  _____________________________________________  ___________________________________________

_______________________________________________   ___________________________________________

2.  _____________________________________________  ___________________________________________

_______________________________________________   ___________________________________________

3.  _____________________________________________  ___________________________________________

_______________________________________________   ___________________________________________

Personal Life Experience:  ______________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Clincher Statement:  ___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Title for the paper:  __________________________________________________________

 

MULTIPLE PARAGRAPH ESSAYS
 

TWO PARAGRAPH OUTLINE & ORGANIZER

Two-Paragraph Essay Outline

1.  PREWRITE
          A.  Brainstorming
          B.  Organizing
                    a.  Circle the TWO most important points you’re going to make

2.  Writing your FIRST paragraph
          A.  Topic Sentence(s)
                    a.  Tells audience what you are going to tell them
                    b.  Answers  the given question or states your opinion
          B.  State your first and most important point
          C.  THREE supports for your first point
                    a.  Your support can be in the form of facts from a book
                    b.  Or examples (also quotes) or statistics
          D.  Transition sentence to connect to the next paragraph
                    a.  Use a transition word (Next, Second, Then, Soon)
                    b.  Use repetition (a word/phrase coming next)

3.  Writing your SECOND paragraph
          A.  Transition sentence to connect with the first paragraph
                    a.  State your second point
                    b.  Use a transition word or repetition from the first paragraph
          B.  Three supports for your second point
                    a.  More facts from a book, examples, quotes, or statistics
          C.  At least one Personal Life Experience from your lives.
                    a.  Examples of things that happened to you
                    b.  Stories, personal narratives, examples of things that happened to other people
          D.  Clincher Statement
                    a.      Summarizes the essay (both paragraphs)
                    b.     Or restates your answer to the question
                    c.      Or restates your opinion
                    d.     Many times includes a ‘message for life’: a THEME

THREE PARAGRAPH OUTLINE & ORGANIZER

Three-Paragraph Essay Outline

1.  PREWRITE
          A.  Brainstorming & Organizing
                    a.  Circle the TWO most important points you’re going to make

2.  Writing your FIRST paragraph
          A.  LEAD (5-8 lines of a personal life experience story)
          B.  Topic Sentence(s)
                    a.  Tells what’s going on in the entire essay
                    b.  Answers the given question or states your opinion
          C.  State your first and most important PRIMARY SUPPORT
          D.  THREE details for your Primary Support
                    a.  Your details can be in the form of facts from a book
                    b.  Or examples (also quotes) or statistics
          E.  Transition sentence to connect to the next paragraph
                    a.  Use a transition word (Next, Second, Then, Soon)
                    b.  Use repetition (a word/phrase coming next)

3.  Writing your SECOND paragraph
          A.  Transition sentence to connect with the first paragraph
                    a.  State your 2 or 3 SECONDARY SUPPORTS
                    b.  Use a transition word or repetition from the first paragraph
          B.  Two to Three details for each Secondary Support
                    a.  More facts from a book, examples, quotes, or statistics
          C.  Transition sentence to connect to the next paragraph

4.  Writing your THIRD paragraph
          A.  Transition sentence to connect with the first paragraph
          B.  FINAL SUPPORT
                    a.  More facts from a book, examples, quotes, or statistics
          C.  PERSONAL LIFE EXPERIENCE
                    a.  Continuation of the LEAD with wrap up to the story
          D.  Clincher Statement
               a.      Summarizes the essay (all three paragraphs)
               b.     Or restates your answer to the question
               c.      Or restates your opinion
               d.     Many times includes a ‘message for life’: a THEME

FOUR PARAGRAPH OUTLINE & ORGANIZER

Four-Paragraph Essay Outline

1.  PREWRITE
          A.  Brainstorming & Organizing
                    a.  Circle the TWO most important points you’re going to make

2.  Writing your FIRST paragraph
          A.  LEAD (5-8 lines of a personal life experience story)
          B.  Topic Sentence(s)
                    a.  Tells what’s going on in the entire essay
                    b.  Answers the given question or states your opinion