School Rules! Writing. Emma MacLaren Henke
who might need to
use it.
Fixing mistakes, revising
sentences, and rearranging
your thoughts take more
time and effort.
You have to recopy and
rewrite your words for
each new draft.
If your writing gets lost or
destroyed, you don’t have
a backup.
Typing can be faster than
writing by hand.
It’s easy to move, copy,
cut, and paste your words
in a computer document.
It’s easy to back up your
work so that you never
lose a word.
Spell-check!
Computers are expensive.
You probably have to
share a computer at home
or school, and your time
on it may be limited.
Computers connect you
to a world of distractions,
such as games and online
videos.
Your computer might
not be located in your
favorite study spot.
Write Now!
These dos and don’ts will help you start your draft,
even when you feel stuck.
brainstorm and outline
before you start writing
your draft. When you work
from an outline, you won’t
waste time wondering what you’re
going to write next.
keep the assignment sheet
with all the instructions
and requirements close
by. Also, remember those
important questions: What is the
main idea I want my writing to
share? What job do I want my writ-
ing to do? Use the assignment and
questions to guide your writing and
help you focus.
feel like you have to
write the entire draft
all at once. Give your-
self time to write—and time
not to write. If you set aside your
writing for a day, you might discover
that your words are better than you
remembered!
try free writing. If you feel
like you can’t come up with
the right words, write what-
ever comes to mind on your
topic for 5 or 10 minutes. It doesn’t
matter what words you choose or
whether you want to keep your
ideas. Just move your pencil across
the paper until time’s up.
sit there staring at a
blank screen or page
for more than a few
minutes. Try free writing
or a new brainstorming technique.
Reread your assignment, search-
ing for clues to focus your writing.
Take a jumping-jacks break!
get mad at yourself if
you get stuck. You can
do it! Writing isn’t a
special gift. It’s a skill that
just takes planning, practice, and
persistence—three things that
everyone can do.
Feeling Blocked?
Try these timely tactics to get your pencil moving.
Check in with a friend. Set up a time to
review each other’s assignments well before
the due date.
Reward yourself. Build small breaks and
treats into your writing time. Finish a page?
Get a glass of water, stretch, or play with your
pet. Write for an hour? Take a quick cocoa
break. Choose rewards that work for you.
Talk out loud and record your writing if
you’re tired of typing or writing by hand.
Most smartphones, tablets, and computers
can record what you say.
Set a timer for 15 or 20 minutes, and keep
writing until you hear the beep. Don’t stop
to get a snack or chat with your sister.
Just write. Do this in manageable chunks
until you’re finished.
Set small writing goals before you begin.
Decide you’re going to write a certain
number of words, paragraphs, or pages,
and don’t stop until you’ve done it.
You’ll feel great when you reach your goal!
Practice Makes
. . . a Habit
The more you write, the better you write and the
easier writing becomes. Here’s how to make writing a habit.
Keep a journal. Every day write a bit
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