List of writing strategies from Narrative unit- what do good writers do?
 Good writers gather ideas from all kinds of stimulus. Some they develop and others they
hold on to for later.
 Good writers hold on to their thinking in a variety of ways- writer’s notebooks, writing
boxes, sketch pads etc
 Good writers can identify and can articulate what makes a narrative
 Good writers understand the structures and features of the narrative, to cater for their
audience and purpose most effectively.
 Good writers understand the stages of the writing cycle and how at these different stages
their writing progresses for an intended outcome.
 Good writers develop independence in each stage of the writing cycle
 Good writers can identify and can articulate what makes a narrative
 Good writers use what they know about narratives to transfer to their own writing.
 Good writers have a main idea that develops throughout a narrative text (using an entry
from their writer’s notebook or writing box.)
 Good writers use subordinate ideas to support their main idea (facts, additional detail etc)
 Good writers use prior knowledge of the main idea/topic to help them develop a text
 Good writer’s research their main idea to be able to use supporting evidence to assist the
reader.
 Good writers use evidence in their text to support their thinking and their ideas to assist
the reader.
 Good writers use descriptions, details and language to help the reader visualize and make
connections to characters.
 Good writers plan for their storyline and characters to develop in a logical sequence.
 Good writers plant seeds throughout a story for characters and the plot to develop for the
reader to keep interested and want to read on.
 Good writers use descriptions, details and language to help the reader visualize and make
connections to the setting of the narrative.
 Good writers combine their characters, setting and main idea into a logical sequence to
form a storyline
 Good writers analyze their use of language and choice of words and consider how it
impacts and influences the reader.
 Good writers use figurative, colourful and juicy language to have an impact on the readerto create emotion or to create a picture.
 Good writers hook readers into, and introduce their narrative by considering their purpose,
audience, choice of language and main idea.
 Good writers consider all factors before they start writing- characters, setting, plot, main
idea, length, audience etc
 Good writers use a variety of planning tools (Software-Inspiration)
 Good writers understand an author’s purpose and style and how this affects the story and
impacts the reader.
 Good writers are accountable for their thinking
 Good writers use prior knowledge of the text type and the topic to help them develop a
text
 Good writers provide opportunities for the audience to make connections to the text as
they read- Text to Text, text to Self and Text to World
 Good writers listen to the voices in their heads as they write.
Story and Sneddon: Teach Them How (Hawker Brownlow Education 2008)
 Good writers don’t always give away too much. They provide opportunities for the reader
to infer to develop a deeper understanding of where, when, why and how and to think
about the text beyond the words on the page.
 Good writers use techniques to influence an audience. They consider how sentences and
ideas are structured and chose language appropriate to the reader and to the context.
 Good writers find out more information to help generate deeper understandings of topics
for the reader.
 Good writers use a variety of strategies to revise and edit their own work, to improve the
text.
What strategies do strategic writers use when revising and editing?
 Good writers read over their writing, sometimes reading out loud to hear the words, to
hear and see if it makes sense.
 Good writers get someone else to read their writing to see if it makes sense and ask for
constructive criticism.
 Good writers look at their choice of words and try to make them ‘juicier’ to have a greater
impact and create more interest.
 Good writers analyse their sentences and how they have structured them and ask
themselves if their choice is appropriate or could be improved by changing the sentence
length or how the words are placed in the sentence.
 Good writers look for other ways of saying what they want to say. They use similes and
metaphors to enhance meaning.
 Good writers add, move, reorder and rephrase the text.
 Good writers attempt to recognize misspelled words or question their spelling if unsure
and attempt corrections or use strategies and techniques to fix up- dictionary, spell checks,
seeks help.
 Good writers analyse how and where they have used punctuation and attempt to fix up
where required. They understand how punctuation impacts their writing and attempt to
make changes or amendments to improve their text.
 Good writers recognize the role of tense in their writing and write with consistency.
 Good writers revise their writing with audience in mind and recognise the importance of
writing for their audience through word choice, use of visuals, connections.
 Good writers ask themselves if enough detailed has been provided.
 Good writers realise that they can revise and edit throughout the writing journey not just
the end of the drafting stage.
 Good writers ask themselves if they have achieved their designated purpose.
 Good writers recognize and appreciate what good readers and use that knowledge in their
own writing.
 Good writers understand that to present their text to a reader it must be proof read and
edited so that when the audience reads it, it makes sense.
 Good writers analyse their own writing to make decisions about what to do next.
 Good writers make decisions on how their narrative is published by considering their
audience
 Good writers reflect on their thinking and their writing.
 Good readers reflect on themselves as writers and analyze how their writing and thinking
impacted the reader and the reader’s understanding of the story.
 Good writer’s appreciate feedback
Story and Sneddon: Teach Them How (Hawker Brownlow Education 2008)