How to Teach the Writing Process?

Fun and Easy Way to Create a Memorable Learning Experience

Motivate students to read and write while teaching them about the writing process by publishing a class book.

Writing is a difficult process and students rarely see the benefits. Teaching writing is especially tricky when essay writers aren’t motivated. By publishing a hardbound class book, students see the rewards of their hard work. Writing becomes a way to express themselves and students are motivated by seeing their work in print.

Publishing a Class Book

Some companies help teachers and students publish their books to share with the world. The free publishing program generates writing excitement in all students. Each student’s effort will result in a colorful hardbound book that can be ordered and cherished. Students will want to reread their class book and share their writing with everyone.

There are many different writing programs available. The school-wide and classroom programs are available for free. Individual programs are also available for a price. The classroom program gives each student a chance to write and illustrate a book as a collaborative effort. A free book that students can share in class. Students can also order their copies to take home and share with their families.

Class books are perfect for all levels of students. Each student writes at his or her level, but everyone’s work is included. Many topics allow each student his or her page. Besides the regular class book, teachers can order the Thanksgiving book or state book.

Teaching the Writing Process

Publishing a class book is the perfect opportunity to teach the writing process. In general, there isn’t time to do all five steps. Usually, the prewriting is skipped and the students jump straight into writing. Revising and editing are mixed and publishing doesn’t always happen. There should be five steps to the writing process:

Prewriting
Writing
Revising
Editing
Publishing

Ideas for Prewriting

Students should keep a writing journal to gather ideas. They can keep track of experiences, research topics, or ideas for stories. Prewriting usually takes place long before a teacher assigns a topic. After a topic is determined, students only need to take a moment to gather their thoughts about what to write.

An easy way for students to understand the difference between prewriting and writing fo is to make it completely separate. Some students can organize everything in their heads or use a cheap essay writer, but most students need to write down their ideas on paper first. Here is a list of prewriting activities to try:

Freewriting
Journaling
Lists
Visualizations
Brainstorming
Webbing or mapping
Using a graphic organizer
Writing ideas on a topic
RAFT – role, audience, format, topic

Revising Versus Editing

After all, writing is completed, revising should happen next. Students try to improve their writing by making it more clear and interesting. Students should focus on things to add or remove. They may rearrange paragraphs or replace whole sections. The best way to revise is to work in small groups. Students exchange papers and read. After reading they can write or ask questions about things they didn’t understand. Students revise by adding more details or making their writing more clear.

Editing comes after revising. Editing involves spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, and word usage. Students should already be satisfied with their ideas. Peer editing works for students who already have a grasp of the English language. Teachers should work with second language learners in small groups or individually.

The best way to teach the writing process is to have students experience its outcome. They will understand how each step helps to improve their writing to create the finished product. Knowing their work will be published encourages students to do their best.