Writing with a Word Processor in the Classroom

Students in the 21st century must develop clear and precise writing skills as part of their abilities to exhibit effective communication skill. Teachers should integrate writing whenever possible in order to help students develop skills in expression as well as an understanding of subject material. Categories of Writing Most writing assignments can be categorized as process or product oriented. process - informal writing such as writing journals. These may or may not be evaluated, but encourage students to become more comfortable with writing.   product - formal writing as in reports, stories, paragraphs, sentences. These assignments are typically evaluated and are generally structured and developmental. Planning Writing Assignments Consider the following as you design your writing assignments: Provide clear, concise explanations as to what the student is required to do in the assignment. Students should understand the topic and the format requirements. Provide information on how the assignment will be evaluated when the assignment is given. Develop a schedule of due dates if the assignment involves multiple parts and preliminary documents. Address the intended audience for the assignment to provide structure to the voice students will select in their writing. Writing Structure Introduce topic Include two or three main ideas in the first paragraph Develop body with two or three paragraphs for each idea Include appropriate transitions between sentences and paragraphs Conclude the topic Writing Conventions Equally important to structure is following conventions of the English language. While this was once considered the domain of the English teacher, all teachers are aware of and able to correct basic student errors in the following areas. Composition A central idea, elaboration, unity, and organization Written Expression Precise language, tone, and sentence variety Usage / Mechanics Correct sentence structure, punctuation, spelling, and usage These areas are defined according to the Virginia Standards of Learning for English. Composition The composing domain includes the focusing, structuring, and elaborating that a writer does to construct an effective message for a reader. It is the creation of a product, the building of writing intended to be read. The writer crafts his/her message for the reader by focusing on a central idea, providing elaboration of the central idea, and delivering the central idea and its elaboration in an organized text. Written Expression The written expression domain comprises those features that show the writer purposefully shaping and controlling language to affect readers. This domain focuses on the vividness, specificity, and rhythm of the piece and the writer's attitude and presence. Usage / Mechanics The usage / mechanics domain comprises the writer's ability to form competent, appropriately mature sentences and the use of word level features that cause written language to be acceptable and effective for standard discourse. This domain includes the system of symbols and cueing devices a writer uses to help readers make meaning. Features: Central Idea Elaboration Unity Organization Features: Deliberate Word Choice Selected, Precise Information Sentence Variety Tone Voice Features: Sentence Formation Usage Standard Inflections Comparison of Adjectives / Adverbs Agreement Mechanics Capitalization Spelling Punctuation Formatting Student Writing Products Autobiography Interview Puppet Show Biography Journal Puzzle Business Letter Letter to the Editor Recipe Comic Strip Mystery Riddle Debate Newspaper Story Science Fiction Story Diary Oral Report Skit Editorial Essay Pamphlet Slogan Experiment Petition Song Fairy Tale Play Summary Family Tree Poetry Survey Friendly Letter Political Cartoon Timeline Hypothesis Press Conference Travel Brochure