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05 Prewriting

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029
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Write on Course 20-20

Prewriting Opening Page

Start-Up Activity

Too often students rush into their writing without taking the necessary prewriting steps. What often results is writing that lacks focus and depth. So be sure to impress upon students the importance of this step in the writing process.

Read aloud the introduction, and then list the main parts of prewriting for discussion. Ask students to share their experiences with prewriting. Some possible discussion questions:

  • How do you prepare to write?
  • What actions do you take in between receiving a writing assignment and beginning your first draft?
  • What are your favorite ways to gather information about a writing topic?

Think About It

“Each of us has individual things that mean something to us, things that no one else is carrying around. That’s a good jumping off point for a story. It’s a place to start.”

—Bruce Degen

State Standards Covered in This Chapter

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.4

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.4

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.4

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1.A

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.2.A

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.3.A

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.1.A

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.2.A

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.3

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1.A

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.2.A

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.3.A

LAFS Covered in This Chapter

LAFS.6.W.2.4

LAFS.6.W.2.5

LAFS.7.W.2.4

LAFS.7.W.2.5

LAFS.8.W.2.4

LAFS.8.W.2.5

LAFS.6.W.1.1

LAFS.6.W.1.2

LAFS.6.W.1.3

LAFS.7.W.1.1

LAFS.7.W.1.2

LAFS.7.W.1.3

LAFS.8.W.1.1

LAFS.8.W.1.2

LAFS.8.W.1.3

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

110.22.b.10.A

110.22.b.10.B

110.22.b.10.C

110.22.b.10.D

110.23.b.10.A

110.23.b.10.C

110.23.b.10.D

110.24.b.10.A

110.24.b.10.C

110.24.b.10.D

110.22.b.10

110.22.b.11.C

110.22.b.10.B.i

110.22.b.11.B

110.22.b.11.A

110.23.b.10.B

110.23.b.11.C

110.23.b.10.B.i

110.23.b.11.B

110.23.b.10

110.23.b.11.A

110.24.b.11.C

110.24.b.10.B.i

110.24.b.11.B

110.24.b.11.A

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

Page 030 from Write on Course 20-20

Quick Guide: Prewriting

Review the explanation of the PAST strategy. Ask students why it is so important that they understand the features of a writing situation. (Without this understanding, students can’t expect to meet the requirements of the assignment.) Have students use the PAST strategy to identify the features in an assignment like the following one:

Doctors, scientists, and researchers are always looking for new ways to keep us healthy. Research an important medical breakthrough—how it started, what was done, what it means, etc. Report on your findings in an informational essay to share with your classmates.

  • Purpose: To inform
  • Audience: Classmates
  • Subject: A medical breakthrough
  • Type: Essay
Related Minilesson:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.2.4
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10.A, 110.22.b.10.B
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.2

Related Resource Tags

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Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPrewriting

Page 031 from Write on Course 20-20

Creating a Writing Resource

Read and discuss “Creating a Writing Resource.” Have volunteers say a few words about their favorite books and/or books they are currently reading. Identify for students potential writing ideas embedded in these books. Also model for students how to be alert to finding writing ideas in their surroundings by pointing to potential writing topics in the classroom.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.2.4
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10.A, 110.22.b.10.B
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.2

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPrewriting

Page 032 from Write on Course 20-20

Selecting a Topic

Review the different strategies for selecting a topic on page 32. Ask students to share their experiences with any of these strategies. Also refer them to the list of writing topics on the Thoughtful Learning Web site. 

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.2.4
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10.A, 110.22.b.10.B
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.2

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPrewriting

Page 033 from Write on Course 20-20

Selecting a Topic (Continued)

Review the different strategies for selecting a topic on page 33. Ask students to share their experiences with any of these strategies. Then consider having students work on the following sentence-starter activity.

Have pairs of students complete each of the sentence starters below in two different ways. Have volunteers share their sentences and consider if each one could lead to a writing idea.

My ideal house would . . .  

  1.  
  2.  

I wish my city (town, neighborhood) had . . .

  1.  
  2.  

Too many people . . .

  1.  
  2.  

Have you ever . . .

  1.  
  2.  

Television is . . .

  1.  
  2.  
Downloads:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.2.4
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10.A, 110.22.b.10.B
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.2

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPrewriting

Page 034 from Write on Course 20-20

Practicing Freewriting

Review “Practicing Freewriting.” Then consider having students try this activity: Have students write the word “Unless” on the top of a piece of paper and use it as the first word in a sentence. Instruct them to continue writing for 5 minutes, going wherever their thinking and writing takes them. After 5 minutes, have them identify the single most important thought that occurred to them during their writing. (Also consider assigning the related minilesson.)

Related Minilesson:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.2.4
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10.A, 110.22.b.10.B
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.2

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
PrewritingWriting Process

Page 035 from Write on Course 20-20

Using Graphic Organizers

Review this page; then ask students if they have used any of these organizers. Point out to students that they will gain experience with these organizers in the forms chapters in the handbook. For immediate practice, have students complete a 5 W’s chart with details about a time when they were lost, stranded, or in a strange place. Also consider assigning any of the related minilessons.

Downloads:
Related Minilesson:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.2.4
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10.A, 110.22.b.10.B
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.2

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPrewriting

Page 036 from Write on Course 20-20

Collecting Details

Read and discuss “Collecting Details,” which is divided into three parts: “Gathering Your Thoughts,” ”Researching,” and “Talking with Others.” First focus your discussion on the different ways students can gather their thoughts. The following activity offers students experience with “Analyzing,” one of the gathering activities:  

Have students analyze a specific place or object by answering these analytical questions:

  • What parts does it have? (Break it down.)
  • What do I see, hear, or feel when I think about my topic? (Describe it.)
  • What is my topic similar to? What is it different from? (Compare it.)
  • What are my topic’s strengths and weaknesses? (Evaluate it.)
  • What can I do with my topic? How can I use it? (Apply it.)
Related Minilesson:

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPrewriting

Page 037 from Write on Course 20-20

Collecting Details (Continued)

Review the collecting tips for researching and talking with others. Point out to students where to find more information in their handbooks about specific research and interview strategies.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.2.4
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10.A, 110.22.b.10.B
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.2

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPrewriting

Page 038 from Write on Course 20-20

Planning Your Writing

Review page 38 with your students. Provide this comparison to help students understand focus: Unfocused writing is like a glass of spilled milk that runs here, there, and everywhere, which makes it hard to follow. Focused writing runs in a straight course and is easy to follow. For practice with finding a focus, consider the following activity.

Have students identify a focus for the following writing scenarios: (The first one is done for students.)

  • Topic: Youth tackle football
  • Special part or feeling about it: is too dangerous.
  • Focus: Youth tackle football is too dangerous.

 

  • Topic: (Type of animal)
  • Special part or feeling about it:
  • Focus:

 

  • Topic: (An occupation)
  • Special part or feeling about it:
  • Focus:
Related Minilesson:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10, 110.22.b.11.C
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.1.b, LA 6.2.2.a

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPrewritingStrong Ideas

Page 039 from Write on Course 20-20

Organizing Your Details

Carefully review the four strategies students can use to find the best method of organization for their writing. Point out that students will use different methods of organization when they complete pieces of writing in the forms of section of Write on Course 20-20.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10, 110.22.b.11.C
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.1.b, LA 6.2.2.a

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPrewritingLogical Organization

Page 040 from Write on Course 20-20

Methods of Organization

Carefully lead students through the common methods of organization. To get students thinking about the different methods, have them work alone or in pairs to identify two writing ideas that would be organized in each of the following ways:

  • Chronological (Example: How to give a dog a bath)
  • Order of Location: (Example: A physical description of your school’s mascot)
  • Order of Importance: (Example: Why students need more breaks during the school day)
  • Comparison-Contrast: (Example: Journal entry versus a blog post)
  • Cause-Effect: (Example: Why exercise leads to better academic performance)
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10, 110.22.b.11.C
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.1.b, LA 6.2.2.a

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPrewritingLogical Organization