School Rules! Writing. Emma MacLaren Henke
cabinmates all knew how and
wanted me to canoe with them
HOW? lessons and practice
How did I FEEL?
-nervous at first, wanted to fit in
-embarrassed (fell out of canoe)
-proud to canoe to Eagle Island
Two More Questions
Whichever brainstorm techniques you try, make
sure to ask yourself two final questions:
What is the main idea
I want to share?
What is my job or
purpose for writing?
The first question is simple. It helps you choose the main idea you’re going to
write about before you actually start writing.
WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA I WANT TO SHARE?
I want to tell the story of how I learned to canoe.
The second question is a bit trickier. The
purpose of your writing is the job you want
it to do. It’s the why.
Writing can do lots of jobs, but three of the
most important are to . . .
A “piece” of writing (think PIE!) can do any or all of these jobs. For instance, a
newspaper article about the weather informs. A story about a magical princess
who uses her powers for good might entertain and persuade. A book review
informs and persuades. Think about your purpose before you begin writing.
WHAT IS MY PURPOSE FOR WRITING?
I want to show how I learned to canoe.
(I want to INFORM.)
I think how I learned to canoe makes a good story.
(I want to ENTERTAIN.)
As you move forward, keep your main idea and purpose
in mind to keep your writing on the right track!
Order, order
Use outlines to organize your ideas.
Making an outline helps you put your ideas in order before you start writing.
Think of it as a map showing how you’ll connect your brainstorm ideas, moving
from the beginning of your piece to the end. When you start writing, the outline
will keep you from getting stuck and wondering what should come next.
Here’s how:
Look at your brainstorm notes and decide which order to put your main
ideas in—from first to last, from beginning to middle to end.
Write each main idea in order and number it, leaving lots of space
between the main ideas. Use just enough words to understand each idea.
You don’t need to write in neat, complete sentences!
Under each numbered main idea, add points that support it, in the order
that makes the most sense. Put a letter in front of each. If any of
those points have supporting points, write them under
their lettered point.
How I Learned to Canoe
1. new at summer camp
a. my first time there, but others had been before
b. made friends in my cabin
c. my friends wanted to canoe, but I’d never done it
2. canoe lessons
a. learned different strokes
b. most important rule: don’t stand up
c. but I did stand, and I fell!
—sooo embarrassed
—determined to learn
3. canoe success!!!
a. kept practicing every day
b. last day, canoe trip to Eagle Island
with friends
—super fun!
—proud of myself :)
Pencil
Point
All writing tells a story.
Outlining helps you
figure out the story
you’re going to tell. You
think about which ideas
are more important
than others, and you
choose which ones
come first, second, and
third, all the way to the
end. Remember those
two big questions?
What is the main idea
I want my writing to
share? and What’s my
purpose for writing, the
job I want my writing
to do? Outlining helps
you answer them. It also
helps you feel ready and
maybe even excited to
tell your story. Let the
writing begin!
Craft Your
Draft
Put pen to paper
or fingers to keyboard
and let the words flow!
Where Can
You Write Right?
Find your best setting for getting down to work.
You keep your desk at home . . .
full of photos, knickknacks, and
desk toys you can fidget with.
completely clutter free. When you
sit down to work, you set out the
exact materials you’ll need.
in front of your bedroom window.
You love to look at the beautiful
trees, birds, and sunsets.
You’d do your best on
a test . . .
at a private study table in the
silence of the school library.
surrounded