Writing Tips
Writing or composition, as it is sometimes called, is not too difficult if you remember some basis rules. When I taught writing, I started with a simple one sentence composition to make sure that my students understood what they were supposed to do. If you need to assess their skills, have them write a short composition on any topic. Their needs will be obvious. I would place these "compositions" (ungraded) in the student's writing file for them to compare after the writing lessons were finished. They were always amazed at how awful their writing was.
The first step is to give them a short list of basic "rules" for composition. I listed basics like: title centered and capitalized (noting words not to capitalize in a title) four margins on a page, capitilizing first word in sentence, and ending punctuation. Depending on how bad your students write, you can start with these basics or add to them. When I graded them, I gave a perfect score of 100 or a zero (if any of the rules were not followed). Note: Do not mark the errors - make the student find them using the list of rules.
The student could then take back the composition and correct it with his list of rules, ask a friend to help him find his mistakes, etc. When the student thought his composition was perfect, he could resubmit it for a replacement grade of 100. If there were still errors, it would be marked zero, once again, and the process repeated. Once everyone had made 100 on the first set of rules, I added more rules and repeated the process. I also progressed from one sentence to two sentences, two sentences to five sentences, and finally a five paragraph paper. I added more grammar, rules on topic sentences, facts supporting the topic sentence, closing sentences, etc. Each time one rule was broken, a zero was given and the opportunity to find the error and replace the grade with 100 was given. By the end of a few weeks, the students could write a decent if not wonderful paper. Note: By this time, the students will recognize the errors they always make and know to check for them before turning in an assignment. I also suggested that they create a checklist of those mistakes they commonly make, so they can check off each error as they search for it in their paper.
Next, I taught the types of compositions. I will discuss how to teach those at a future time.
The first step is to give them a short list of basic "rules" for composition. I listed basics like: title centered and capitalized (noting words not to capitalize in a title) four margins on a page, capitilizing first word in sentence, and ending punctuation. Depending on how bad your students write, you can start with these basics or add to them. When I graded them, I gave a perfect score of 100 or a zero (if any of the rules were not followed). Note: Do not mark the errors - make the student find them using the list of rules.
The student could then take back the composition and correct it with his list of rules, ask a friend to help him find his mistakes, etc. When the student thought his composition was perfect, he could resubmit it for a replacement grade of 100. If there were still errors, it would be marked zero, once again, and the process repeated. Once everyone had made 100 on the first set of rules, I added more rules and repeated the process. I also progressed from one sentence to two sentences, two sentences to five sentences, and finally a five paragraph paper. I added more grammar, rules on topic sentences, facts supporting the topic sentence, closing sentences, etc. Each time one rule was broken, a zero was given and the opportunity to find the error and replace the grade with 100 was given. By the end of a few weeks, the students could write a decent if not wonderful paper. Note: By this time, the students will recognize the errors they always make and know to check for them before turning in an assignment. I also suggested that they create a checklist of those mistakes they commonly make, so they can check off each error as they search for it in their paper.
Next, I taught the types of compositions. I will discuss how to teach those at a future time.
