When teaching students to write, one of the most important skills they need to develop is their ability to clearly tie relevant evidence (data, statistics, quotes, illustrations) to a purpose or message. This is a skill that will only come with practice and will take them a long way toward writing a well-supported article.
1. Choose Interesting Topics
Before you start teaching article writing, be sure to select a range of topics that will appeal to your class. This will make it easier to engage them with the material and will ensure that they feel they are making an informed choice when they are choosing the type of topic to write about.
2. Research and Outline
Whether students are writing an academic article, a news story or a nonfiction piece, the research component is critical to the success of their article. The research process will allow them to understand the topic, and will also help them to plan their article in the form of an outline.
3. Strong Sentences
Good articles are usually accompanied by well-written sentences that convey their meaning and engage readers. This requires instruction in sentence construction as well as sentence mechanics such as punctuation and capitalization.
4. Create a Sense of Community
If you’re preparing your students to write, it’s essential to ensure that they have a sense of belonging in the classroom. This will help them to feel confident, respect each other’s work and share their thoughts.
5. Peer Feedback
Peer feedback is a useful tool for encouraging student writing and improving their overall drafts. It can be used as a complement to teacher feedback, and is often perceived as being more easily understood by students.
6. Evidence for an Argument
When students are writing a journal or news article, they need to have an abundance of evidence to support their arguments. This will include data, statistics, quotes from credible authorities and illustrations.
The biggest mistake that many students make when they are writing an article is to not tie their facts and quotations directly to the argument they are trying to make. This can be very difficult to do and takes a great deal of time and practice.
7. Using Multiple Paragraphs
Another key part of writing an article is to use paragraphs that are well-constructed and engaging. This will not only give the reader a chance to get to know the main ideas of the article, but it will also keep them engaged and help them understand how the author has structured their argument.
8. Adding Captions
When writing an article, it’s often worth taking the time to write a few captions for any photos that accompany it. This is especially useful if the article will be published on the web or emailed to friends and family.
