Writing

Writing

Let's become authors!

Purpose for Writing

Before you write, think about your purpose. Your purpose is your main reason for writing. The four main purposes for writing are to inform, to explain, to narrate, or to persuade.

To Inform

• To inform means share or show information.

• Informative writing gives facts and details.

• Some examples of writing to informinclusw reports, paragraphs of information, news stories, and instructions.

To Explain

• To explain means to tell about a topic by describing what, why, and how.

• You can explain a topic in any type of writing.

• Some examples of writing to explain are instructions, how-to paragraphs, science observation reports, and explanations.

To Narrate

• To narrate means to tell a story, whether that story is true or made up.

• Some examples of narrative writing include personal narratives, stories, and plays.

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To Persuade

• To persuade means to convince someone else to agree with your opinion or to take action.

• Examples of writing to persuade include opinion paragraphs, persuasive essays, and book and film reviews.

Multiple Choice

Which form of writing describes what, why, and how?

• To Inform

• To Explain

• To Narrate

• To Persuade

Multiple Choice

Which form of writing tells a story?

• To Inform

• To Explain

• To Narrate

• To Persuade

Multiple Choice

Which form of writing shares or shows information?

• To Inform

• To Explain

• To Narrate

• To Persuade

Multiple Choice

Which form of writing requires you to convince someone to agree with your beliefs?

• To Inform

• To Explain

• To Narrate

• To Persuade

Understanding Task, Audience, and Purpose (TAP)

In addition to choosing a purpose for writing, you should consider your audience, or for whom you are writing. You may choose different words when writing a letter to a friend than you would in a letter to the editor or a newspaper, for example.

Understanding Task, Audience, and Purpose (TAP)

Once you know your purpose and audience, you can choose a task, or writing form. For example, if you want to share information with your class about something you've researched, you might write a report or an essay or you might make a multimedia presentation.

Understanding Task, Audience, and Purpose (TAP)

Before you begin writing, it is a good idea to decide your task, audience, and purpose, or TAP. Your teacher may give you the TAP for an assignment. Sometimes you will decide on your own.

TAP

Multiple Choice

TAP is understanding your -----, audience, and purpose

• task

• topic

• theme

• none of the above

The Writing Process

Writing is a lot like drawing a picture. Whether you draw or write, you face the same challenge. You need to find the right form for the ideal you want to express. Artists are seldom satisfied with this first sketch. More often than not, they begin to make changes almost immediately. They may add a detail here or change of color there. They may even throw away the whole first sketch. There is no one correct way to work. The only “rule” is that the finished product should be the best you can make it.

The writing process helps you move back and forth between the different stages of your writing. You can go back to any step in the process at any time.

Writing Process

Prewriting

• Identify your TAP - task, audience, and purpose. Then choose a topic. Gather and organize information about the topic.

Drafting

• Put your ideas in writing. Don't worry about making mistakes. You can fix them later.

Revising

•  Re-read your writing to see if it meets your purpose. Meet with a partner or with a group to discuss it.

Editing

•  Correct spelling, grammar, usage, mechanics, and capitalization errors.

  
  

Publishing

• Decide how you want to publish your work. Share your writing. Examples of ways to publish include posters, bulletin boards, multimedia presentations, and oral presentations.

Multiple Choice

Which step comes first?

• Prewriting

• Drafting

• Revising

• Editing

• Publishing

Multiple Choice

Which step comes last?

• Prewriting

• Drafting

• Revising

• Editing

• Publishing

Multiple Choice

Which step do you make spelling and grammar corrections?

• Prewriting

• Drafting

• Revising

• Editing

• Publishing

The Writing Traits

To cook a good meal, you have to start with the best ingredients.   likewise, to write well, you must also use the best “ingredients.”

The Traits of Good Writing

The “ingredients” of good writing are six characteristics known as traits. Applying these traits to your writing will help it go from Bland to exciting and note time!

Multiple Choice

Writing traits are like the _____ of good writing.

• formula

• ingredients

• items

Traits Checklist

As you practice writing, ask yourself these questions.

Evidence

• Do I explain ideas with details and examples?

• Do I support opinions with facts and details?

Organization

•  Are my details organized effectively?

• Does my writing have a logical order?

• Does the organization fit with my TAP?

Purpose

• Is my reason for writing clear?

• Did I include language that makes my writing interesting?

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Elaboration

• Did I use vivid and precise words and phrases to develop my topic or tell a story?

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Development

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  Did I include details that help readers visualize the characters and settings?

  
  

• Did I tell the story events in an interesting way?

Conventions

• Are my spelling, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation correct?

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Multiple Select

Which traits are important to use in your writing? Click all that apply.

• Evidence

• Organization

• Purpose

• Elaboration

• Development