DMG_sylvannewsletter1

SIMPLE IDEAS FOR WRITING WELL

Facility with words can carry a student far—through school and beyond. Learning to write well, however, means a great deal more than just mastering basic language skills like grammar and spelling. Good writing requires the competent use of a wide variety of tools, from metaphor and rhetoric to dialogue and detail. Moreover, it requires confidence, the belief that you can communicate effectively, no matter what realm you are in.

Naturally, parents want all these things for their children. A high quality writing program will speed your child’s progress, but parents can help their children get off to a good start by stressing the following simple ideas:

Use outlines for research papers. The most common pitfall of expository writing is disorganization, and nothing fights disorganization better than an outline. Taking the time to make an outline will help ensure that the paper is composed of clear, coherent paragraphs, each with a separate topic sentence and each supporting a main thesis statement. It’s an invaluable tool.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Say what you want to say first, then worry later about whether you said it correctly. Unfortunately, many successful students feel pressured to do everything perfectly the first time around. They concern themselves more with following the "rules" of writing than with self-expression. In the end, a daring piece of writing will capture more attention than a merely competent one. Spelling, grammar and neatness counts, but you must, first, have something to say.

Think of writing as a process. Many students have the mistaken impression that writing is a one-step affair – you just put your pen on the paper and write until you are finished. Remind your student that writing is a long process involving brainstorming, drafting and several stages of revision. If a first idea isn’t productive, stop and try again. More often than not, your finished product looks nothing like your first draft.

Read and write regularly. One of the most tried-and-true ways to learn something is to watch someone else do it first until you "get" it. Essentially, that’s what you do when you read - learning how a particular writer works. That’s why regular reading from a variety of genres is important for a student. Similarly, regular writing - every day, in a journal or for school will also improve skills. "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" the old joke asks. The same way you learn to write well: practice, practice, practice.


	SIMPLE IDEAS FOR WRITING WELL Facility with words can carry a student far—through school and beyond. Learning to write well, however, means a great deal more than just mastering basic language skills like grammar and spelling. Good writing requires the competent use of a wide variety of tools, from metaphor and rhetoric to dialogue and detail. Moreover, it requires confidence, the belief that you can communicate effectively, no matter what realm you are in. Naturally, parents want all these things for their children. A high quality writing program will speed your child’s progress, but parents can help their children get off to a good start by stressing the following simple ideas: Use outlines for research papers. The most common pitfall of expository writing is disorganization, and nothing fights disorganization better than an outline. Taking the time to make an outline will help ensure that the paper is composed of clear, coherent paragraphs, each with a separate topic sentence and each supporting a main thesis statement. It’s an invaluable tool. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Say what you want to say first, then worry later about whether you said it correctly. Unfortunately, many successful students feel pressured to do everything perfectly the first time around. They concern themselves more with following the "rules" of writing than with self-expression. In the end, a daring piece of writing will capture more attention than a merely competent one. Spelling, grammar and neatness counts, but you must, first, have something to say. Think of writing as a process. Many students have the mistaken impression that writing is a one-step affair – you just put your pen on the paper and write until you are finished. Remind your student that writing is a long process involving brainstorming, drafting and several stages of revision. If a first idea isn’t productive, stop and try again. More often than not, your finished product looks nothing like your first draft. Read and write regularly. One of the most tried-and-true ways to learn something is to watch someone else do it first until you "get" it. Essentially, that’s what you do when you read - learning how a particular writer works. That’s why regular reading from a variety of genres is important for a student. Similarly, regular writing - every day, in a journal or for school will also improve skills. "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" the old joke asks. The same way you learn to write well: practice, practice, practice.