The Writing Process
(Obtained from The Arrow Writer's Handbook
Scholastic Book Clubs)
Prewriting Strategies1. Free-Write - Write down whatever passes through your mind. Don't worry about spelling or handwriting or even what you are going to say next - just keep writing!
2. Talk - Try talking with a friend about your ideas. Let your friend ask you questions and you can tell each other stories. When you start noticing that you have a lot to say, stop talking and start writing. 3. Brainstorm - Give yourself a topic (for example, my summer vacation, the book I just read, my dog) and write down everything that comes into your mind about it. 4. Keep a Writer's Notebook - Write down your thoughts, questions, and observations as often as you can. When it comes time to write a paper, you will often find you have lots of material already written on your topic. 5. A Special Place - Where do you like to write? It often helps to have a special place that puts you in the mode for writing - a comfy chair with a good light, a quiet corner, etc. |
Revision
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Outlines and WebsOutlines help you decide the information that goes together. This includes titles, main headings, subheadings, and details. Outlines organize information in a straight line.
Webs organize information in a circle. In the center you put your topic, title or main idea. Then, from that circle you can branch out in all directions with different related information. |
Structuring Paragraphs and Essays
The ParagraphA paragraph is a group of sentences that describe the same idea or topic. A paragraph can be any length - many sentences, a few sentences, or sometimes just one. It doesn't matter as long as those sentences are organized around a single focus or idea stated in the topic sentence. There is one exception, though.
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Topic SentencesThe topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. It is usually the first sentence, but sometimes it can be at the end. It is almost never found in the middle of a paragraph.
Here's an example with the topic sentence in the beginning: My cat is the sweetest cat in the world! When I get home from school she hops into my lap and starts to purr right away. If I am sad, she is right beside me. She has long, soft fur, and loves to be petted. Here is the same paragraph with the topic sentence at the end: When I get home from school, my cat hops into my lap and starts to purr right away. If I am sad, she is right beside me. She has long, soft fur and love to be petted. My cat is the sweetest cat in the world! |
Detail SentencesDetail sentences tell more about the topic sentence. It is as if you were a lawyer trying to prove your point to the jury with lots of evidence!
How can you get more details in your writing? Here are some strategies.
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Organizing Paragraphs
One of the hardest things about writing paragraphs is connecting two or three of them, getting the words to flow smoothly. Words the serve as glue between paragraphs and between ideas within a paragraph are called transition words. Some helpful ones are:
after
also although as a result as well at last before but finally |
for example
however in addition to in conclusion instead of just as later rather than therefore |
Spelling
Basic Rules for Spelling
1. Words containing IE or EI
I before E except after C or when sounding like A, as in neighbor and weigh.
Examples: piece, device, weigh
2. Silent or final E
If a word ends with a silent E, drop the E before adding a suffix that begins with a vowel.
Examples: bore/boring, love/loving, write/writing
3. Final Y
If a word ends in a consonant followed by Y, change the Y to I before adding a suffix.
Examples: cry/cried, friendly/friendliness, gloomy/gloominess
4. Consonant preceded by a vowel
If a one-syllable word ends with one consonant with a vowel before it, double the final consonant before adding a suffix.
Examples: nut/nutty, can/canned, pot/pottery
5. One-plus-one-rule
When a prefix ends in the same letter with which the main word begins, include both of the repeated letters.
Examples: il + logical = illogical; mis + spell = misspell
I before E except after C or when sounding like A, as in neighbor and weigh.
Examples: piece, device, weigh
2. Silent or final E
If a word ends with a silent E, drop the E before adding a suffix that begins with a vowel.
Examples: bore/boring, love/loving, write/writing
3. Final Y
If a word ends in a consonant followed by Y, change the Y to I before adding a suffix.
Examples: cry/cried, friendly/friendliness, gloomy/gloominess
4. Consonant preceded by a vowel
If a one-syllable word ends with one consonant with a vowel before it, double the final consonant before adding a suffix.
Examples: nut/nutty, can/canned, pot/pottery
5. One-plus-one-rule
When a prefix ends in the same letter with which the main word begins, include both of the repeated letters.
Examples: il + logical = illogical; mis + spell = misspell
Frequently Misspelled Words
about
acquire address afraid afternoon always Antarctic arithmetic asthma available because before blue cemetery chief children cinnamon come committee conscience conscious corduroy cough could counterfeit definite dependent desperate does |
done
down dumb easy eight eighth environment every everyone father first formally formerly four freight friend from gauge gone good guess guest have hello high how independence inside into |
just
laugh league library license love many mattress might misspell mosquitoes most mother much name necessary neighbor new nice niece none noticeable nuisance obedience occurred off omitted once one |
our
out outside parallel plaid play prairie pretty privilege probably put raspberry receipt reference relieve rhythm ridiculousright said Saturday saw school send shoes should show some sometimes soon |
Sunday
sure talk than that them then these time today together too two upon use very was Wednesday were what when where which while white who whole whose with |