Glossary of Terms: Writing

 

Student-Directed Writing:

With time allocated by teacher, writing initiated by the student; can be in varied modes and forms, to varied audiences, and for varied purposes.  Writer’s Workshop is one strategy for promoting student-directed writing.

 

Teacher-Directed Writing:

Writing lessons designed to teach directly varied modes, forms, skills, and processes.  Teacher-directed writing identifies topic, audience and purpose (TAP).

 

Writer’s Workshop:

An approach to teaching writing that includes time to write, allows for student choice, incorporates peer feedback, and most importantly, recognizes the student as a writer and the teacher and peers as readers and helpers of that writing.

 

Writing Forms:

Memo, Business Letter, Friendly Letter, Story, Report

 

Writing Modes:

Narrative, Persuasive, Descriptive, Expository

 

The Writing Process:

Taking writing through the stages of pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.

 

Writing Rating Scale (Six-Trait Writing):

A writing, scoring tool that clarifies a common language to talk about six-trait writing:

 

IDEAS AND CONTENT                WORD CHOICE

ORGANIZATION                           SENTENCE FLUENCY

VOICE                                             CONVENTIONS