Writing Tip of the Month
by Bruce Cabell
Teacher/Writer/Author/Educreator

Writing Tip #11- Nonfiction Writing Strategies: Part 1

Children are ready to share facts and information they've learned from books, newspapers, magazines, TV, and the internet. They enjoy nonfiction writing because it provides them the opportunity to share their topic of interest.

Displaying reports, biographies, newspapers, magazines, recipes, nonfiction books, and how-to articles in your home is essential. When sharing one of the above, point out how the author's information is organized and clear. This will show your children how much easier it is to read and understand.

Below is a list on nonfiction strategies to help and support your children's writing. I hope you find it helpful.

Note: Nonfiction makes up about 80-90 percent of adult reading. As parents, it's important to focus on nonfiction writing throughout the school year.

Nonfiction Writing Strategies


1) Researching a Topic:

It's vital that writers do accurate and required research when composing nonfiction writing.

Below are suggestions when choosing and presenting a topic.

a) Get an idea of what your audience is interested in and create a list. Then, create a list that's interesting to you. Any similarities?

b) Choose a topic where you feel you are the expert.

c) Make sure the topic is narrow. For example, don't research BIRDS, but research the smallest or largest living bird.

d) Brainstorm a list of questions you feel your audience may have about your topic. Try to be one step ahead of them.

e) Plan out your presentation for your audience.


2) Planning and Research:

Nonfiction writing is a time when writers gather facts and information. Therefore, after writers choose a topic and begin the writing process, there are three key steps to consider.

Research- Writers gather facts, phrases, and important vocabulary words to incorporate in their nonfiction writing.

Recording Data- Writers record or draw their facts, phrases, and important words on an organizer or in a nonfiction journal/notebook.

Writing Purpose and Text Type- Before writers begin their draft, they need to identify the purpose and text type. For example, if their purpose is to inform, then they can write a news article, poem, letter, etc.


3) Purposes and Text Types for Nonfiction Writing:

Writers need to identify and understand the purpose for their writing and then be able to choose the text type that matches their purpose. In addition, writers should identify the audience in which to address.

Below is a list of purposes.

Inform- to provide the reader with information.
-describe
-explain
-summarize

Persuade-
to convince the reader to take action or accept your point of view.

Instruct- to tell the reader how to do something.

Narrate- draws the reader into an event or sequence of events.

Respond- to express ideas about a topic or written text.

Below is a list of text types.

Poster, Procedure, Directions, Letter, Flowchart, Poem, Sign, Recipe, Review, Brochure, Advertisement, Report,
Question and Answer, AND MORE!

LOOK FOR PART 2 AND MY FINAL WRITING TIP IN JULY!!

Bruce Cabell is a teacher, writer, author, and educreator. He was a classroom teacher for over 27 years.  He taught kindergarten, first, and third grade in Connecticut. Bruce has mentored numerous young teachers as well as modeled many writing strategies and skills for classroom teachers. His passion for writing has resulted in his first published creation, Writing Organizer Fold-Outs for grades 2-5. Visit Creative Teaching Press at www.creativeteaching.com to view these wonderful all-in-one writing tools.

In addition, to learn more about Bruce visit him on LinkedIn… https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=262989552&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Last, visit his new website at http://www.thewritingguy.branded.me/

Tags