Writing Tip #12- Nonfiction Writing Strategies: Part 2
by Bruce Cabell
Teacher/Writer/Author/Educreator
The following is a continuation of Writing Tip #11 shared in June. In addition, it was a pleasure sharing a Writing Tip of the Month. I hope each idea, strategy, and organizer helped you in some way.
Have a wonderful summer!
4) Drafting
After planning and research, writers compose their draft. They turn their important vocabulary words and phrases into complete sentences. Additionally, writers organize and get their key notes/facts on paper too.
Below are a few suggestions to help with the drafting process.
Writing Tools- writers need to have a variety of tools to support their nonfiction writing such as a personal dictionary, thesaurus, nonfiction notebook of strategies, ideas and research notes, and a word bank of writing words.
Precise Verbs- writers need to choose action verbs that are precise and capture their readers' attention. For example, if you're researching "Whales" you can write, "Whales swim." or "Whales glide." Which one do you feel is more accurate? Whales glide!
Headings- writers sort their facts under headings. Headings keep writers organized. Furthermore, it helps readers understand the written text.
5) Revising
Once writers finish the drafting process, it's time to revise. Writers need to reread their draft often making sure their written text is accurate and understood.
Below are a few questions nonfiction writers can ask themselves when revising:
a) Did I begin with an interesting lead?
b) Does my writing make sense?
c) Are my main ideas supported with details?
d) Do I have enough detail that paints a picture for my readers?
e) Are my action verbs and details accurate?
f) Did I sort my facts correctly under each heading?
g) Do my sentences flow?
h) Are my sentences varied? Long? Short?
6) Editing
Now, writers begin to edit after revising. This is when they check grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation so it is clear to their readers. But writers have to read and edit their nonfiction conventions too, so their readers can understand.
Below is a list of nonfiction conventions:
Titles
Pictures
Headings
Captions
Labels
Glossary
Index and More!
7) Publishing
You are on the last step of the writing process, publishing. Now, it's time to write or type your published copy and present it to your audience.
Below are a few suggestions to get ready for publishing and your presentation:
a) Before publishing your nonfiction writing, look at an author's text that is similar to yours and see how his or her writing is arranged.
b) Ask yourself, "Does my text type match my purpose?"
c) Make sure your published copy has spacing between words, capitalization, punctuation, correct spelling, and neat handwriting. Depending on your text type, are you using all of the space on a page? If your nonfiction writing is going to be read to your audience, try rehearsing a few times in front of your family and friends.
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/
by Bruce Cabell
Teacher/Writer/Author/Educreator
The following is a continuation of Writing Tip #11 shared in June. In addition, it was a pleasure sharing a Writing Tip of the Month. I hope each idea, strategy, and organizer helped you in some way.
Have a wonderful summer!
4) Drafting
After planning and research, writers compose their draft. They turn their important vocabulary words and phrases into complete sentences. Additionally, writers organize and get their key notes/facts on paper too.
Below are a few suggestions to help with the drafting process.
Writing Tools- writers need to have a variety of tools to support their nonfiction writing such as a personal dictionary, thesaurus, nonfiction notebook of strategies, ideas and research notes, and a word bank of writing words.
Precise Verbs- writers need to choose action verbs that are precise and capture their readers' attention. For example, if you're researching "Whales" you can write, "Whales swim." or "Whales glide." Which one do you feel is more accurate? Whales glide!
Headings- writers sort their facts under headings. Headings keep writers organized. Furthermore, it helps readers understand the written text.
5) Revising
Once writers finish the drafting process, it's time to revise. Writers need to reread their draft often making sure their written text is accurate and understood.
Below are a few questions nonfiction writers can ask themselves when revising:
a) Did I begin with an interesting lead?
b) Does my writing make sense?
c) Are my main ideas supported with details?
d) Do I have enough detail that paints a picture for my readers?
e) Are my action verbs and details accurate?
f) Did I sort my facts correctly under each heading?
g) Do my sentences flow?
h) Are my sentences varied? Long? Short?
6) Editing
Now, writers begin to edit after revising. This is when they check grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation so it is clear to their readers. But writers have to read and edit their nonfiction conventions too, so their readers can understand.
Below is a list of nonfiction conventions:
Titles
Pictures
Headings
Captions
Labels
Glossary
Index and More!
7) Publishing
You are on the last step of the writing process, publishing. Now, it's time to write or type your published copy and present it to your audience.
Below are a few suggestions to get ready for publishing and your presentation:
a) Before publishing your nonfiction writing, look at an author's text that is similar to yours and see how his or her writing is arranged.
b) Ask yourself, "Does my text type match my purpose?"
c) Make sure your published copy has spacing between words, capitalization, punctuation, correct spelling, and neat handwriting. Depending on your text type, are you using all of the space on a page? If your nonfiction writing is going to be read to your audience, try rehearsing a few times in front of your family and friends.
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/
