Writing

The Topic:

Writing

Easier - Writing is the act of putting letters, symbols, numbers, or words on paper or a computer screen. Writing is used to express and explain ideas.

Harder - Writing is the expression of language in the form of letters, symbols, or words. The primary purpose of writing is communication. People have used many tools for writing including paint, pencils, pens, typewriters, and computers. The writing can be formed on the wall of a cave, a piece of paper, or a computer screen. The writing process includes prewriting, composing, revising, editing, and publishing. There are many kinds of writing such as expository, narrative, descriptive, imaginative, and persuasive. Literature is a type of writing that includes poetry, novels, plays, and short stories.

Regardless of the language, writing has many rules including grammar, spelling, and punctuation. People use many tools to assist in their writing such as dictionaries and thesaurus.

A+ Research and Writing for High School and College Students

http://www.ipl.org/teen/aplus/

This website provides a step-by-step guide to researching and writing a paper. It also has an information search feature for finding information in cyberspace and in your library. Finally, it contains great online resources for research and writing.

Alphabet Superhighway's Writing Center

http://www.ash.udel.edu/ash/tutor/writing/index.html

This writing center for students and teachers contains many resources and links for writing. The activity center containing online and classroom activities on prewriting, writing, and editing. The writer's reference library provides links to sites on writing and composition skills, as well as online reference tools. The cyberzine is an online magazine for students to publish their work. A list of other student publishing sites is also provided. Finally, writing contest opportunities are provided.

For Young Writers

http://www.inkspot.com/young/

This is the young writers' section (18 and under) of the writer's portal called Inkspot! The 'Young Writers Club' publishes Global Wave, a monthly online magazine of writing by kids ages 7 to 15. You'll also find story suggestions, stories that you can finish, book reviews, and more.

Link to other writing portals:

2) Inkspot: Writing Resources http://www.inkspot.com/index.html

3) Creative Writing for Teens http://teenwriting.about.com/teens/teenwriting/mbody.htm

Writing Den (Grade 6-12)

http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/

WritingDEN is designed for students Grades 6 through 12 seeking to improve their English reading, comprehension, and writing skills. WritingDEN is divided into three levels of difficulty: Words, Sentences and Paragraphs.

Not To Be Missed Section:

2) Tips-O-Matic http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/tips/contents.htm



After visiting several of the websites, complete one or more of these activities:

Be a Screenwriter. Read Screenwriting Tips, So You Want To Be A Screenwriter, and The Art of Effective and "Saleable" Screenwriting. Using the ideas in these articles and your own ideas, create a set of guidelines for screenwriting.

Quote Famous Writers. Read Writing with Writers. Read about the process of writing from famous writer such as Judy Blume. Read quotes by famous writers. Select a quote and write about how it relates to your writing.

Write Dialogue. Read the article How to Write Dialogue. Select and learn about two people from history. For information about famous people, go to Biography.com. What if they could meet and talk? What kind of conversation would they have? Write a short dialogue between these two people.

Try a Writing and Word Game. Try Wacky Web Tales. If you want more word games and activities, try Word Play or Vocabulary.com.

Add to the Web. Use the Collab-O-Write project to add your own story or illustration to the web. Or, send an article to Kid Press.

Take a Stand. Learn about the Copyright law. Read the article Avoiding Plagiarism. What is plagiarism? Why is it something you need to consider when writing? Create a list of ways to avoid plagiarism. Share this list with others.

Write an Article. Read the article Five Golden Rules For Writers or Tips for Young Writers. Which rules or tips do you think are easiest for a writer to follow? What do you think is most difficult? Now, write an article, story, or poem and submit it for publication online! Check out the Young Writer's page for places to send your article.

Find Inspiration. Use the The Instant Muse Poetry Generator or The Instant Muse Story Starter to get started writing a poem or short story. Or, use the Paragraph Punch to create a paragraph online.

Workout your Writing Skills. Each week, try the Weekly Writing Workout.

Start an Online Reference Links Page. Explore some of the writing references and tools links below. Create a list of the most useful writing reference tools such as an online dictionary and thesaurus. What other links might be handy when writing?

Complete a Writing WebQuest. Adapt or follow the procedures found at the following WebQuest sites:

1) Art of Proofreading (9th grade) http://www.guilford.k12.nc.us/webquests/pfread/pfread.htm

2) Fan Letter by Barbara Nassar http://www.macomb.k12.mi.us/wq/WebQ97/FANLET.HTM

3) Power of Persuasion created by 6th grade students, Harris Middle School, Shelbyville, TN (Grades 5-8) http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/studentpage.htm

4) P.O.W.E.R.S. of Writing: A Student's Guide to the Writing Process http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/edis771/98webquests/student/scarlyoung/WQ2Powers1.html

5) World Writing Federation http://teach.fhu.edu/technology/EDU506/WebQuests/writingprocess/writing.html

Websites by Kids for Kids

Collab-O-Write (1996 Internet Challenge)

http://library.thinkquest.org/2626/

Check out this site if you are interested in writing, because there's something for everyone. Already an author? You can also add to an existing story. There's a place to post your own stories, and to read the many submissions already posted.

Cyberstories (1999 ThinkQuest Junior Project)

http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/6066/

Featuring facts, fiction, and fun, "Cyberstories" is an E'zine written by and for kids. Contributors can follow the format of the writing that is already on the site, or they can submit other forms for publication. Some of the departments are: Kids' Problems, Real Adventures, Fantastic Fiction, Poet's Corner, Awesome Art, and Funny Bones.

How to Become a Writer! (1999 ThinkQuest Junior Project)

http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/6429/

This project is about writing. It is designed to help other kids improve their writing. The site includes punctuation guidance, helpful authors, and information on paragraphs, letters, and ways to improve kid's writing.

Inki and Taz's Poetry Corner

http://library.thinkquest.org/11883/

Would you like to try your hand at writing a haiku poem or a 'bio' poem? This site describes poetic forms and biographic information on a number of well-known poets.

Interactive Kid Press (1999 Junior)

http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/5671/

This site provides a place for children's ideas and writings to be published.

Join our English Language Club (1997 Internet Challenge)

http://library.thinkquest.org/10241/

Here you find simple suggestions on learning English and an excellent grammar table to help when you are confused. Tests are combined with fun activities, such as writing story endings and song lyrics; it all makes learning English exciting.

Only a Matter of Opinion (Thinkquest)

http://library.thinkquest.org/50084/index.shtml

Explore this step-by-step guide to writing an opinion paper, editorial, or commentary.

Powerful Imagery (1997 Internet Challenge)

http://library.thinkquest.org/10111/

Find help with your story writing, either by using this site's interactive writing section, or the literature tutorial which explains the difference between a metaphor and a simile, a theme and a tone. Take a creative writing quiz, learn more about poetry, or chose one of the site's pictures to inspire your next writing session.

Ready-Get Set-Write (2000 ThinkQuest Junior Project)

http://library.thinkquest.org/J002278/

This web site is a virtual information spot filled with facts, tips, and ideas on writing and the writing process.

Story Mania (1998 ThinkQuest Junior Project)

http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/3703/

This site's objective is to get other children interested in reading and writing by participating in writing an interactive story or by reading poetry. The students that created this site have prepared stories that had "middles" and "endings" that you can finish creating.

Story Writing Links a websection at Story Quest (1999 ThinkQuest Junior Project)

http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/5115/s_writing.htm

Here you find help with the writing process and proofreading. An interactive part of the site is 'happylibs', a section that allows you to make their own creative story.

Writing a section of Write On Reader (2000 ThinkQuest Junior Project)

http://library.thinkquest.org/J001156/writing.htm

This page on writing discusses the history of writing, forms of writing and the writing process. It has a glossary of terms and great story starter ideas.

Writing an Essay (1997 Internet Challenge)

http://library.thinkquest.org/10888/

If you've ever written down your opinions and views, then you've written an essay. Learn about the fundamentals of writing at this web site which takes junior and senior high students step-by-step through the writing process.

Writing References

Bartleby.com: Great Books Online

http://www.bartleby.com/

This website contains popular writing references such as dictionaries, thesaurus, and style guides.

Common Errors in English by Paul Brians(Washington State University)

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html

This is a huge index of common errors; from A to Z and more.

Glossary of Literary Terms and A Handbook of Rhetorical Devices

http://www.uky.edu/AS/Classics/Harris/rhetform.html

This tool contains a searchable resource for literary terms and rhetorical devices.

Grammar Lady

http://www.grammarlady.com/

The Grammar Lady contains frequently asked questions (FAQ's), spelling rules, a question of the week, and a grammar hotline.

More links to grammar resources:

2) Grammar, Punctuation, and Capitalization: Technical Writers http://stipo.larc.nasa.gov/sp7084/sp7084cont.html

3) Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation http://www.grammarbook.com/

4) Grammar Safari http://deil.lang.uiuc.edu/web.pages/grammarsafari.html

5) Your English Grammar Tutor Online http://webnz.com/checkers/grammar2.html

Merriam-Webster's WWWebster Dictionary

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary

Look up a definition, pronunciation, etymology, spelling, or usage point in the on-line version of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, tenth edition.

Online Reference Materials

http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic9.htm

This webpage provides links to reference tools portals, dictionaries, encyclopedia, and almanac.

More links to online reference resources:

2) Online Library http://online-library.org/

3) Online Reference Tools http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/library/list.htm

Roget's Thesaurus

http://www.thesaurus.com/

This site has a nice interface & arranges words according to the ideas represented as in a printed Roget's.

Lots More Sites

Aaron Shepard's Young Author Page: Tips and Tricks for Kids Who Write Stories

http://www.aaronshep.com/youngauthor/index.html

Children's author Aaron Shepard offers his resources for young authors including tips for writing stories.

ABC's of the Writing Process

http://www.angelfire.com/wi/writingprocess/

Learn about the universal process for any writing task: prewriting, writing, revising, editing, and publishing.

More Writing Process Links:

2) The Writing Process - Overview http://www.johnco.cc.ks.us/~mbrownin/class/process.htm

3) The Writing Process Web http://w3.up.net/~msbones/ww01000.htm

4) The Writing Process http://www.arcanum-butler.k12.oh.us/writing_process.html

5) Introduction to the Writing Process http://www.delmar.edu/engl/instruct/stomlin/1301int/lessons/process/intro.htm

Biography Maker

http://www.bham.wednet.edu/bio/biomaker.htm

These online lessons explain what a biography should be and walks writers through questioning, learning, synthesis, and storytelling. The site includes embedded links to relevant Internet resources and tips for effective writing.

Essays

http://www2.actden.com/Writ_Den/Tips/essay/index.htm

Learn about the parts of an essay, how to write an essay, and the different kinds of essays.

More Essay Writing Sites:

2) The Five Paragraph Essay http://www.iss.stthomas.edu/studyguides/5paragraph_edit.htm

3) Structure of a Five Paragraph Essay http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/English/essay/index.html

4) Basic Guide to Writing Essays http://members.tripod.com/~lklivingston/essay/

5) The Five Paragraph Essay http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Atrium/1437/index.html

6) Writing Argumentative Essay http://www.eslplanet.com/teachertools/argueweb/frntpage.htm

Fundamentals of Academic Writing by Martin Paterson

http://www.norcomtraining.enta.net/faw/

This online writing course-site explains how the syntactic and communicative conventions of written English differ from those of spoken English, develops the skills necessary to write in a concise, coherent and clear style, and concentrates on the process, not the content, of academic writing.

Getting Started Even If You Don't Know What You're Doing...

http://emilyhanlon.com/I've%20always%20wanted%20to%20write%202.htm

This is tip seven from Emily Hanlon's ten tips on creativity.

Related Webpages:

2) Nothing Kills Creativity Faster than Criticism (Tip 2) http://emilyhanlon.com/I've%20been%20severely%20criticized.htm

3) So you need some inspiration? Try Risk, Passion and Creativity http://emilyhanlon.com/I%20need%20some%20inspiration%20to%20move%20on.ht

m

4) Moving from Non-Fiction into Fiction http://emilyhanlon.com/I'm%20looking%20to%20move%20into%20fiction.htm

5) Interviewing Your Characters http://emilyhanlon.com/I'm%20a%20novelist.htm

Grade 8 Writing

http://wilmette.newtrier.k12.il.us/wilmette/resourcepages/grade8/8writing.html

This is a comprehensive annotated links site for writing that is useful to other age writers.

Links to other English class pages:

2) Mrs. Smith's English Page (Grade 8) http://home.earthlink.net/~jesmith/index.html

3) Language Arts Literacy Links http://www.nps.k12.nj.us/AnnotatedLAL.htm

How to Write Dialogue

http://www.pstcc.cc.tn.us/distance_learning/eng1010/dialogue.html

Dialogue can enliven your narrative in ways that nothing else can because it captures some of the essence of the person you are describing.



Karleen Bradford, Author: Help Page

http://www.makersgallery.com/bradford/howto.html

Here are some suggestions for help on problems that all writers come up against: how to write a query letter, where do you get your ideas, how to overcome writers' block, characterization -who's who in this story, dialogue, outlines: think of a skeleton ..., plotting the story, and themes.

Meg's Writing Tips (Margaret Chittenden)

http://www.techline.com/~megc/tips.htm

Here is a collection of short writing tips from a mystery writer.

More Writing Tips:

2) 11 Rules of Writing http://junketstudies.com/rulesofw/fwelcome.html

3) Tips, Tools & Ideas to Improve Your Writing http://www.aci-plus.com/tips/

4) Writing Tips and Tricks at The Academy http://cgi2.geocities.com/Athens/Agora/5949/Help/tips.html#children

5) Writing Tip Archive at Southmont Publishing http://www.mysterywriting.com/archives.html



OWL Online Writing Lab - college level

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

This online writing lab provides useful links and resources related to writing.

Links to online writing centers:

2) Take the Writing Center Home with You http://www.rpi.edu/dept/llc/writecenter/web/handouts.html

Paragraph Punch

http://www.paragraphpunch.com/

This web site is designed to help users learn how to write a basic paragraph using a free online lesson, Paragraph Punch. Students’ completed paragraphs can be transferred to a word processing program, HTML editor, or e-mail application.

Paradigm: Online Writing Assistant

http://www.powa.org/

Paradigm is an interactive, menu-driven, online writer's guide and handbook written in HTML and distributed freely over the WWW. It works on frames-capable browsers, using hypertext structure to create a web of links and text frames that you can navigate quickly and easily by clicking your desired choice.

Research Paper.com

http://www.researchpaper.com/

Explore the web's largest collection of topics, ideas, and assistance for school related research projects.

Links to other websites on writing papers:

2) Resources for Writing at Teen Ink http://TeenInk.com/Resources/WritingR.html

3) A Guide for Writing Research papers http://webster.commnet.edu/apa/apa_index.htm

4) Papers http://www.ups.edu/faculty/dewhite/papers.htm - college level

5) So You Have to do A Research Project http://www.ri.net/schools/East_Greenwich/research.html

Uncle Orson's Writing Class (Orson Scott Card)

http://hatrack.com/writingclass/lesson01.shtml

Here the author has posted his writing lessons and FAQ's. The lessons deal with rhetoric and style, a writing career, dialogue and style, beginnings, first chapter, agents, and plagiarism.

Writer Online - primarily for college and adult writers

http://www.novalearn.com/wol/index.htm

This online ezine provides articles and resources for all kinds of writers.

Links to other websites primarily for college and adult writers:

2) Writing.Org http://www.writing.org/index.html

3) Write's Insite http://www.writersinsite.com/

Write Site developed by ThinkTVNetwork, Greater Dayton Public Television

http://www.writesite.org/

Designed for Ohio middle school language arts students, The Write Site curriculum has students take the role of reporters and editors to research, write and publish their own newspaper. The site includes unit outlines, handouts, exercises, information about how to write, and more.



Young Writer's Club

http://www.cs.bilkent.edu.tr/~david/derya/ywc.html

This online club encourages children of all ages to enjoy writing as a creative pastime by getting them to share their work and help each other improve their writing abilities.

Links to Other Online Writer's Clubs:

2) Young Writer's Clubhouse http://www.realkids.com/club.shtml

3) Writers City http://writer.virtualave.net/index.html

Poetry

Poetry Power: Internet Center for Poets

http://www.poetrypower.com/poetry.htm

This site provides poetry awards, contests, free software, and advice about writing poems and how to publish them.

Poet's Resource at Inkspot

http://www.inkspot.com/genres/poetry/

Broaden your poetic horizons with links to workshops, associations, mailing lists, general information and articles catering solely to writers of poetry.

Shiki Haiku Salon

http://mikan.cc.matsuyama-u.ac.jp/~shiki/

The Shiki Internet Haiku Salon provides resources and a lesson in this poetic form.



Websites for Teachers

6+1 Traits of Writing

http://www.nwrel.org/eval/writing/prompts.html

Explore writing prompts for different types of writing.

2) 6+1 Traits of Writing Assessment http://www.nwrel.org/eval/writing/

A Time for Rhyme

http://www.grandpatucker.com/rhyme-time1.html-ssi

Learn to integrate poetry writing into your classroom.

Building Structures (Grade 10-12) from the New Zealand Ministry of Education

http://www.english.unitecnology.ac.nz/resources/units/building/home.html

This unit is designed to be used after a text study (novel, short story, film). It provides unstructured writers with a framework for constructing 'Response to Text' answers. As their confidence and skills increase, students can use less of the framework in their writing and structure their own writing independent of teacher input.

Related Plans from the New Zealand Ministry of Education:

2) Creative Writing by Linda Chapman (Grade 4-5) http://www.english.unitecnology.ac.nz/resources/units/creative_writing/home.html

3) Fat Man (Grade 10-11) http://www.english.unitecnology.ac.nz/resources/units/fat_man/home.html

4) Who? What? When? Where? (Grades 5-6) http://www.english.unitecnology.ac.nz/resources/units/narrative/home.html

Englishteachers' Homepage

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4687/index.htm

This website contains lots of tips and hints for writers.

Ideas for Teaching Writing by Kimberly Steele (Grades 5 and above)

http://www.angelfire.com/ks/teachme/writing.html

This writing unit uses the six-trait analytic writing model. If you aren't familiar with this model, don't go away. Writing has simply been divided into the six areas, or traits, that teachers value most: ideas and content, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and writing conventions.

Instructional Materials in Writing

http://www.cln.org/subjects/writing_inst.html

This links-page connects to CLN's 'theme pages' which support the study of writing and to to instructional materials (lesson plans) which will help teachers provide instruction in these themes.

Joining Hands in Writing and Speaking by Carolyn C. Smith (Grade 6)

http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1986/4/86.04.13.x.html

Students will be able to write one of each of the four basic paragraph types: narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive.

Joltin’ Joe Has Left and Gone Away (Grades 6-12)

http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/990309tuesday.html

Students first read and discuss Joe DiMaggio’s obituary, focusing on his accomplishments, admirable qualities, and place in American society as a whole. Students then research and create their own descriptive biographies of athletes and entertainers whom they admire.

Journal Writing Every Day: Teachers Say It Really Works! at Education World

http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr144.shtml

One of the best things about daily journal writing is that it can take so many forms. The site includes writing motivators that work from teachers who use them!

Memaw's Creative Writing Corner for elementary school teachers

http://www.berkeleyprep.org/lower/fourth/writing/creative_writing_corner.htm

This website has links to creative writing activities for elementary students including poetry, journal writing, warm-up activities, word play fun, literature, and short subjects.

More Creative Writing Links:

2) Three Step Creative Writing Process http://braindance.com/bdimmap4.htm

3) RAFTS Writing Process http://www.fred.net/nhhs/html3/rafts.htm

4) Pizzaz: People Interested in Zippy and Zany Zcribbling http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~leslieob/pizzaz.html

Outta Ray's Head Writing Lessons

http://www.cgocable.net/~rayser/writing.htm

Explore dozens of excellent lesson plans and resources related to classroom writing.

Power of the Pen (Grades 6-12)

http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/980918friday.html

Students examine the importance of the Letters to the Editor section of the newspaper, write their own Letter to the Editor, and submit it for possible publication on The New York Times Learning Network.

Sharing Skills: Focus on Summarizing Information at School Library Media Activities Monthly

http://ericir.syr.edu/Virtual/Lessons/SLMAM/Sharing_Skills/summarizing.html

All kinds of educational activities, including the use of library media materials, require students to become proficient in summarizing.

Related Articles:

2) Focus on Comparing and Contrasting Information http://ericir.syr.edu/Virtual/Lessons/SLMAM/Sharing_Skills/comparing.html

3) Focus on Sequencing Skills http://ericir.syr.edu/Virtual/Lessons/SLMAM/Sharing_Skills/sequencing.html

4) Main Ideas and Supporting Details http://ericir.syr.edu/Virtual/Lessons/SLMAM/Into_Curriculum/Reading_LangArts/mai

n_ideas.html

5) Parts of a Plot http://ericir.syr.edu/Virtual/Lessons/SLMAM/Into_Curriculum/Reading_LangArts/par

ts_plot.html

Suggested Activities: Writing (Grade 3)

http://darkstar.swsc.k12.ar.us/curr/ela/sug.act/ela3.html

Here is an extensive list of activity ides for writing.

Teacher.Net: Reading/Writing

http://www.teachers.net/cgi-bin/lessons/sort.cgi?searchterm=Reading

Explore dozens of K-12 reading and writing lessons.

Teaching Writing in the Classroom Forum from InkSpot

http://writers-bbs.com/inkspot/threads.cgi?forum=teaching

This discussion forum is for those who are interested in discussing topics and issues related to teaching writing in the classroom.

Writing Autobiographies by Elizabeth Purkett (Grades K-3)

http://www.sd81.k12.wa.us/Libby/program/project/ICAT/view.idc?proj_num=128

Students research and write their autobiographies using the writing process steps and Kid Pix slide show.

Writing in an Elementary Classroom by Kathleen Whale, Sam Robinson and Carol Lockhart

http://www.ssta.sasknet.com/research/instruction/93-07.htm

This research report considers the theory base for whole language teaching, an application of constructivist learning theory.

Writing Plans

http://www.knownet.net/users/Ackley/writing_plans.html

Try some writing activities including prompts and ideas for a paragraph a week.

Writing Process

http://ccweb.norshore.wednet.edu/writingcorner/writingprocess.html

Learn to help students become better writers using "Six-Trait Writing,"

The Writing Process

http://www3.sk.sympatico.ca/fiss/newpage1.htm

This is an online workshop for classroom teachers that are interested in implementing the writing process in their classroom.

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synthesis storytelling communication style genre plagiarism

rhetoric newspaper journalist theme mystery science fiction

opinion essay imagery proofread view meaning



Created by Annette Lamb and Larry Johnson, 1/99

Updated, 11/00