Sandra Brewer
Language Arts Instructional Coach
Muskogee Public Schools
OWP-S. Brewer
The Writing Process
•
•
•
•
•
Prewriting
Drafting
Revising (add, subtract, substitute, move)
Editing/Proofreading
Publishing/Sharing
OWP-S. Brewer
Prewriting
• Brainstorming (list)
• Clustering/Mapping (5 senses, Basic, 5 W’s plus
one)
• Cubing (describe, compare, analyze, associate,
apply, argue for or argue against)
• Four square
• Outlining
• Quickwriting
• Sketch to Stretch
OWP-S. Brewer
Brainstorming
•
•
•
•
•
•
List unusual ways to use an object (fork, string)
List five of the most influential presidents
List three kinds of angles
List four team sports
List five individual sports
List the seven Wonders of the World
OWP-S. Brewer
Clusters—Maps—Webs
 Clusters are weblike diagrams with the topic or
nuclear word written in a circle centered on a
sheet of paper.
 Main ideas are written on rays drawn out from
the circle, and branches with details and
examples are added to complete each main idea.
 Clusters are used to gather and organize
information for learning.
 Clusters are used to organize ideas before
beginning to write.
OWP-S. Brewer
Basic Cluster or Map
Trait # 1
Trait # 1
Topic
Trait #3
Trait #5
Trait # 4
OWP-S. Brewer
Five Senses Cluster plus one
Sound
Smell
Emotions
Topic
Sight
Touch
Taste
OWP-S. Brewer
Five W’s plus one cluster
What
Who
When
Topic
Why
Where
How
OWP-S. Brewer
Cubing
Students study a topic from
six viewpoints or perspectives
1. Describe the topic, including its colors, shapes, and sizes.
2. Compare the topic to something else. Consider how it is similar or
different from this other thing/person.
3. Associate the topic to something else and explain why the topic makes
you think of this other thing.
4.
Analyze the topic and tell how it is made or what it is composed of.
5.
Apply the topic and tell how it can be used or what can be done with it.
6. Argue for or against the topic. Take a stand and list reasons to support it.
OWP-S. Brewer
Step by Step for Cubing
• Students or teacher chooses a familiar topic
related to a theme.
• Students divide into six small groups to examine
the topic from one of the perspectives.
• Students quickwrite on each perspective to
brainstorm ideas.
• Students share quickwrites with the class to allow
for student to react and make connections.
• Students construct the cube and display it.
OWP-S. Brewer
Comparison & Contrast Diagram
Concept 1
Concept 2
With regard to
OWP-S. Brewer
Four Square
Write one reason.
Write second reason.
Add three examples.
Add three examples.
Add elaboration of one
Add elaboration of one
reason.
reason.
Take a stand based on a writing prompt. BrainsStorm 3 supporting ideas and a concluding sentence
Write third reason.
Add hook to introduction
Add three examples.
Add punch to conclusion
Add elaboration of one
reason
OWP-S. Brewer
Four Square:From Organizer to Paper
•
•
•
•
•
•
Add transitions to body paragraphs
Incorporate vivid language
Reread your work
Proofread for errors in mechanics
Prepare the final copy
Attach graphic organizer and rough draft
OWP-S. Brewer
Outlining
I. War of 1912
A.
Causes
1.
2.
B.
Effects
1.
2.
II. Civil War
A. Causes
1.
2.
B. Effects
1.
2.
OWP-S. Brewer
Quickwriting
Quickwriting
 Used for journal and impromptu






writing
Also called “freewriting”
Focus on content rather than
mechanics to allow students’ natural
voices to come through. (Peter
Elbow, 1973)
Students reflect on what they know
about a topic by generating words
and ideas and making connections
among the ideas.
Students write for 5 to 10 minutes.
Students share quickwrites in a small
group
One student from the group shares
with the class.
Benefits of Quickwriting
 Stimulate interest
 Check what students already
know
 Clarify misconceptions
 Find out what students are
learning
 Assess what students have
applied
OWP-S. Brewer/G. Tompkins
Sketch-to-Stretch
 Sketch-to-stretch is a visually representing activity that
moves students beyond literal comprehension to think
more deeply about the characters, theme, and other
elements of the story structure and the author’s craft in a
story they are reading.
 Students work in small groups to draw pictures or
diagrams to represent what the story means to them, not
pictures of their favorite character or episode
 Students use lines, shapes, colors, symbols, and words to
express their interpretations and feelings.
 Since they work together in groups, students share ideas
with each other, extend their understanding, and generate
new insights.
OWP-S. Brewer/G. Tompkins
Steps for Sketch-to-Stretch
1. Read and respond to text.
2. Talk about the themes and ways to
symbolize meanings.
3. Have students draw sketches.
4. Have students share their sketches with
classmates.
5. Have some students share with the class.
6. Revise sketches and make final copies.
OWP-S. Brewer/G. Tompkins
What is Revision?
• Revision means to re-see the paper’s content.
• Revision does not mean correcting spelling
and mechanical errors.
• Revision allows the writer to receive input
from a peer and/or the teacher.
• Revision allows the writer to add, delete,
substitute, and move content in the paper.
OWP-S. Brewer
Revision Chart
Word
Phrase
Sentence
Add
Delete
Substitute
Move
OWP-S. Brewer/C. Oaks
Paragraph
Editing/Proofreading
• Students focus on mechanics (spelling,
punctuation, capitalization, grammar).
• Students focus on writing complete sentences,
avoiding fragments,comma splices, and run-ons.
• Students use proofreader’s marks when editing.
• Read the paper from the bottom to the top when
editing. This way the student can focus on one
sentences at a time out of contest. When reading
from top to bottom, it is difficult to disregard the
fluency and content of the paper.
• Students should have dictionaries or access to
spell check during this stage of the writing
process.
OWP-S. Brewer
Publishing/Sharing
Use an author’s chair in the classroom and allow
students to read their work to the class.
Display the students’ final drafts in the classroom or in
the hallway.
Send the best final drafts to the local newspaper for
printing. Usually, the newspaper is looking for
student writing during Veteran’s Day, Martin Luther
King Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas,
Easter, and other special occasions.
Enter final draft in a local, state, or national contest.
OWP-S. Brewer