Writing is Fun!
| Paragraphs | Writing a good story | Author | Punctuation | |
| Friendly Letter | Tall Tales | Publishing your work | All about us | References |
|
Writing is Fun!
|
|
|
A writer's notebook is a notebook that you write many things in. One of the things you write in the book is colorful words and use of language that you hear or read somewhere such as a book. You also write story titles that you think would make a good story line. You may think of a good story title or poem to write down in your writer's notebook when your doing something that has nothing to do with writing. You may write a story using a title that you wrote down in your writer's notebook years ago. If you are going to keep a writer's notebook you might want to go to a library or book store to rent a book by Ralph Fletcher called a Writer's Notebook. This will give you an idea of how to keep a writer's notebook. A writer's notebook gives you a place to live like a writer , not just in school but wherever you are , wherever you get the inspiration. If you dream of becoming a famous writer someday , or if you just enjoy writing down interesting things that you see , hear , or think about , a writers notebook is for you. It's a place to record dreams , feelings , thoughts , and all your observations about the world around you. Some of these entries might be the basis of a story, poem , or personal essay. This guide will show you exactly how to keep your writer's notebook , the most important tool a writer can have. Since this book is by Ralph Fletcher now we will tell you about him and his other books. Ralph Fletcher has written books for young readers and writing teachers. As auther and consultant , he has worked at schools around the U.S. and abroad. He has degrees from Dartmouth and Columbia , and is a former member of the Teachers College Writing Project In N.Y.C. Ralph lives with his family in Birmingham , Alabama. Ralph has written over eighteen books. Want to learn more about Writer's Notebooks? Mr. Fletcher has some good ideas. Josephine Nobisso is another author that we interviewed. Mrs. Nobisso is an author and also teaches writing. One of her recent books is Hot Cha Cha. Click here for a short biography of Mrs. Nobisso. We interviewed Mrs. Nobisso and we asked her some questions concerning writing: Q. When did you start writing? A. She started when she was 18. Q. Where did she get the name Hot Cha Cha? A. When she watched kids playing it gave her ideas. Q. What was your first book? A. "With No Regrets." Q. How many books have you written? A. About 50. Q. What do you do when your not writing? A. She spends time with her daughter. Q. How many hours do you work? A. 6-12 hours a day. Q. What was your favorite book that you wrote? A. ''Grandma's Scrapbook .'' Q. Does the illustrator think of any story ideas ? A. She only thinks of some . Q. How many books do you read a day ? What kind ? A. She reads a book a day and likes spiritual books . Q. How many days a year do you spend in school writing programs ? A. 100 days a year. Click here to see the author with us. 2 Different types of paragraphs Here we have some definitions of different types of paragrahs: Persuasive Expositoy Narrative Descriptive First we will discuss a definition of a Persuasive paragraph. A persuasive paragraph gives the writer's opinion on the topic and tries to get the reader to agree with it . When you write a persuasive paragraph , you should give facts and examples to back up your opinion. Otherwise you won't persuade or convince your reader that your opinion is the right one. The main purpose of an expository paragraph is to give information about a topic. It may explain ideas, give directions, or show how to do something. An expository paragraph uses transition words (such as first , second, and most importantly in the model below). These words help guide the reader through the explanation. In a narrative paragraph, you tell a story by sharing the details of an experience come alive. A descriptive paragraph describes a person , place , thing , or an idea. When you write a descriptive paragraph, you should use words that help your readers see , hear , smell, taste , and feel what you are describing. You should tell your readers what colors things are how big things are , what things sound like , ect. Your readers should feel as if they are right there with you. When you write a story make sure you include a setting , plot , atmosphere , character traits and goals. Try not to introduce all the characters at once one point in the story. Make sure you explain the characters with colorful language, such as intelligent , ambitious , contientous , etc., instead of words such as nice , smart , kind , yuckie , ect. Before you write your story think about what type of story it's going to be such as, gothic (scary), mystery , and comedy. Your story should always have a conclusion at the end of your story. You should have mature vocabulary in your story. This means that you should expand your resources in explaining what words mean. Also, use proper punctuation. Punctuation is what you end your sentences in, such as . ? ! . Put a ? when the sentence asks something , put a period when the sentence is stating , declaring , or demanding something. Use an ! when the sentence is saying something exciting or shocking. Most importantly use colorful language. In your story you should try to use similes. A simile is a figure of speech that uses the words "as" or "like." Figures of speech are used like adjectives or adverbs. They modify or describe a person , place , thing , or action word with a colorful and often visual term or phrase. Creative writers and poets make good use of these. For example: as soft as old leather as musical as a flute sparkled like diamonds. In your story you should also include metaphors. Metaphors are figures of speech that compare two things but do not use the words "like" and "as." These colorful phrases are used like adverbs or adjectives to describe people , places , things , or actions. You must learn not to take them literally but to enjoy their use. For example: at night my bedroom is a real icebox or her heart is a fountain of kindness Like we said before you need to use colorful language if you want to make your story interesting and keep your reader occupied. For example: 1.August is motionless and hot 2.With blank white dawns and glaring moons 3. At night there is lightning but it quivers all alone 4. A great potato of a women 5. The sky was a ragged blaze of red and pink and orange, and its double trembled on the surface of the pond like color spilled from a paintbox. 6. Outside, in the ring of trees around the pond, the birds were celebrating, giving the new day a brass band's worth of greeting.
The period 1. A period is used to end a sentence. It is also used after initials, after abbreviations, and as a decimal point. At the End of a Sentence
After an Initial
As a Decimal
After Abbreviations
After Final Abbreviations
Ellipsis
To Show Omitted Words 8. An ellipsis is used to sow that one or more words have been left out of a quotation. Shortened Quote: "All I know is that I saw something that hummed and glowed…hovering above the water tower." At the End of a Sentence
Pause in Dialogue
Comma Commas are used to keep words and ideas from running together, making your writing easier to read. Commas tell the reader where to pause. Items in a series
In Dates and Addresses
Tip: Do not use a comma to separate the state from the ZIP code. To Keep Numbers Clear
To Set Off Interruptions
Between Two Independent Clauses 16. A comma may be used between two independent clauses which are joined by coordinating conjunctions such as the following: and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet. Tip: Do not connect two independent clauses with a comma unless you also use a conjunction. To Set Off Dialogue
In Direct Address
In Letter Writing
Semicolon The semicolon is a cross between a period and a comma. It is sometimes used in place of a period; other times, it serves the same function as a comma. Colon
To Introduce a List 22. A colon is used to introduce a list. After a Salutation
Hyphen
To Create New Words
Dash
Apostrophe
In Singular Possessives
When a singular noun ends with an s or z sound, the possessive may be formed by adding just an apostrophe. Lucas’ hobby is collecting pencil stubs. In Plural Possessives 29. The possessive form of plural nouns ending in s us usually made by adding just an apostrophe. The girls’ log-rolling team. For plural nouns not ending in s, an apostrophe and s must be added. Children’s book Quotation Marks
To Punctuate Titles
Question Mark
Exclamation Point An exclamation point is used to express strong feeling. It may be placed after a word, a phrase, or a sentence. Italics
Tip: In handwritten material each word or letter which should be in italics is underlined. Parentheses
Capitalization
Proper Nouns, Proper Adjectives, Names of People, Words used as Names, Titles Used with Names, Historical Events, Abbreviations, Organizations. Parts of a friendly letter The Heading includes your address and the date. Write it in the upper right-hand corner. The Salutation or greeting usually begins with the word Dear and is followed by the name of the person who will receive the letter. Lace a comma after the name. Write a salutation at the left-hand margin, two lines below the heading. The body of the letter contains your thoughts and ideas. Begin writing on the second line after the salutation. Keep the paragraphs short for easy reading. Write the closing two lines below the body of your letter. Capitalize only the first word and follow it with a commas. Put your signature under the closing. Planning your story Choose a Hero or Heroine Create a Powerful Foe Show the Cleverness of Your Hero
Writing Your Story Tall tales are meant to be fun and entertaining. So remember to include a lot of exaggeration and humor in your writing. If you use dialogue, have the main character say things that are funny or clever, and have other characters say things that sound a little silly or simple. Think of yourself as an old-time storyteller with a group of eager listeners around you. Your job is to tell them a good story. The Final Step Publishing is a very important part of the writing process. It makes all of your
planning, drafting, and revising worth the effort. Publishing can take many forms. Reading a finished story to your classmates is a form of publishing - so is selecting a poem for your classroom portfolio. If your classmates and teacher really like your writing, you might want to explore some of the following ways to publish it. Mail It Greeting cards Letters to public figures Requests for information Thank-you letters to field-trip guides, bus drivers, etc. Letters that complain about or praise a product or service Letters to pen pals in other schools, cultures, or countries Notes to parents about school activities Perform it! Plays for school and community audiences Puppet shows Radio shows over the school public address system Talking books for the visually impaired Taped interviews for a class project New words for familiar music Presentations at PTA or school board meetings Introductions of guests at assemblies Videotaped documentaries for local TV stations Print It!
Submit It! There are many magazines published every month that feature student writing. Write to one that you think might ublish your work Ask your teacher for help. Also ask your teacher or librarian for a list of contests you can send your writing to. Victoria: My name is Victoria and I go to Boyle Road Elementary School. I am in fifth grade , and my teachers name is Mr. O'Donnell. He has helped us a lot on this project. I have two pets at home They are both cats and their names are Sassy , and Freckles. I am 10 years old. I liked working on this project and I hope that people enjoy looking at our website. My hobbies are volleyball and soccer My best friends are Julianne , Stephanie , and Colleen. I also have a 13 year old brother.
Julianne: My name is Julianne . I am 11 years old . I am in fifth grade . I have a 6 year old sister named Danielle . I have a dog and his name is Hunter . I like to draw and play basketball . My best friends are Victoria , Stephanie , and Colleen . My favorite school specials are art and gym . I also like soccer . My favorite school subject is English . Some of my favorite singers are the Back Street Boys, N-Sync , and Brittany Spears . My favorite TV shows are Seventh Heaven and Dawsons Creek .
Danielle: My name is Danielle. I am in fifth grade and my teacher is Mr. O'Donnell. I have two sisters their names are Christie and Jenn. Christie is nineteen and Jenn is fifteen. My hobbies are hanging out and listening to music. I have a dog named Spencer. My best friends are Alex, Staci, Krista, and Katie. Alexandra: My name is Alexandra. I go to Boyle Road Elementray School. I am in the fifth grade, and my teacher is Mr. O'Donnell. I don't have any brothers or sisters. My mom is Jennifer, and I don't have a dad. I have a rabbit named Oreo. My hobbies are going to the mall, listening to music, and just hanging out with my friends; Danielle, Staci, Krista, and Katie. Most of the music I listen to are the Backstreet Boys, and 98 Degrees.
Citations and References
Permissions|1. Image of pencil and mail slot at kids-learn.org. Permission granted by Mrs. Susan Silverman. Verbal approval. 2. Utilization of text from Writers Express approved by Andrea at Great Source Educational Group on 3/22/99.
References|
Electronic Sources 1. Fletcher, Ralph. ralphfletcher.com "authorization to use brochure" 00 Feb. 1999. Electronic Sources 1. "WebSpice Themes," DeMorgan Industries Corporation, 1998. 2. "WebSpice Animations," DeMorgan Industries Corporation, 1998. 3. "Microsoft FrontPage 98," Microsoft Corporation, 1998. 4. "Adobe PhotoDeluxe 2.0," Adobe Corporation, 1997. 5. "LView Pro Image Processor," LView Corporation, 1988. 6. Epson Bundled Software for Epson 636 scanner. 7. Microsoft Works, Microsoft Corporation. Printed Materials 1. Kemper, Dave, Nathan, Ruth, Sebranek, Patrick. "Writers Express." D.C. Heath and Company, 1995, pp. 59-351 2. Babbit, Natalie, Tuck Everlasting, The Trumpet Club, New York, NY, 1975. pgs. 3, 10, 60, 81. |
