Teaching the Elements of Powerful Writing Using Great Fiction and Nonfiction Models: 15 Motivating Lessons That Teach Focus, Sequencing, Structure, Word Choice, Elaboration, and More [Paperback]

Midge Madden (Author), Jane Sullivan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2004

Aliveness. Clarity. Strength. These are characteristics of good writing, characteristics too often lacking in student work. Jane Sullivan and Midge Madden have developed a successful approach that helps students to see and appreciate these qualities in literary models-and then to revise their own writing with the ideas in mind. Includes 15 classroom-tested lessons in a format that lets teachers hear the authors' thinking, describing what they do and discussing why they do it. For use with Grades 3-5.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Teaching Strategies (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439517818
• ISBN-13: 978-0439517812
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,450,613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A diamond in the rough!, October 13, 2004

By 

Cynthia E. Downes "Cindy Downes" (Broken Arrow, OK, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Teaching the Elements of Powerful Writing Using Great Fiction and Nonfiction Models: 15 Motivating Lessons That Teach Focus, Sequencing, Structure, Word Choice, Elaboration, and More (Paperback)

It took a lot of effort on my part, as the teacher, to understand the concept, BUT it was well worth the effort. This is not a quick-fix, easy-to-do worksheet approach so if a teacher is looking for something quick and easy, he/she will need to look elsewhere. Instead, this is a resource that can be used throughout the year to teach specific techniques in writing by reading good literature, breaking it down into lessons on writing strong leads, using your senses, creating characters, and more. I found this resource extremely valuable and helpful in training children to write both fiction and nonfiction. I recommend it to classroom teachers as well as homeschoolers who are willing to take the time necessary to teach children to write interesting and effective compositions.