1 What is a writer's notebook
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.
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. 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.
3 Writing a good story
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 ond 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.
Marking Punctuation
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
A period is used a the end of sentences making statements or requests.
After an Initial
Place a period after an initial in a person’s name.
As a Decimal
Use a period as a decimal point and to separate dollars and cents.
After Abbreviations
A period is placed after each part of an abbreviation.
After Final Abbreviations
Only one period should be used at the end of the sentence when an
abbreviation is the last word.
Ellipsis
An Ellipsis (three periods) may be used to show omitted words or sentences
or to indicate a pause in dialogue. Tip: When typing an ellipsis, leave one space before, after, and between each period.
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
If the words left out are at the end of a sentence, use a period followed
b three dots.
Pause in Dialogue
An ellipsis is used to indicate a pause in dialogue. For example:
"That’s … incredible!"
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
Commas are used between words phrases, or clauses in a series.
In Dates and Addresses
Commas are used to separate items in addresses and dates.
Tip: Do not use a comma to separate the state from the ZIP code.
To Keep Numbers Clear
Commas are used in numbers of four digits or more to keep the numbers
clear.
To Set Off Interruptions
Commas are used to set off a word, phrase, or clause that interrupts
the main thought of a sentence.
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
Commas are used to set off the exact words of the seaker from the
rest of the sentence.
In Direct Address
Commas are used to separate a noun of diredt adddress (the person
being spoken to) from the rest of the sentence.
In Letter Writing
Commas are used after the salutation, or greeting, in a friendly letter
and after the closing in all letters.
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
A colon is used in a sentence to introduce a list or draw attentionn
to information that follows. Colons are also used between the numbers in time.
To Introduce a List
22. A colon is used to introduce a list.
After a Salutation
A colon may be used after the salutation of a business letter.
Hyphen
A hyphen is used to divide or join words. Hyphens are also used to
create new words.
To Create New Words
A hyphen is used to form new words beginning with the prefixes self,
ex, great, all, and half. A hyphen is also used with suffixes such as free and elect. For example: great-aunt, half-baked,
all-purpose, self-esteem, president-elect.
Dash
A dash may be used to show a change in thought or direction in a sentence,
or to show that a speaker has been interrupted.
Apostrophe
An apostrophe is used to form plurals, to show that a letter or etters
have been left out of a word, or to show possession.
In Singular Possessives
The possessive form of singular nouns is usually made by adding an
apostrophe and s. My sister’s hobby is jazz dancing.
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
Quotation marks are used to enclose the exact words of the speaker,
to show that words are used in a special way, and to punctuate titles.
To Punctuate Titles
Quotation marks are used to punctuate titles of songs, poems, short
stories, essays, chapters of books, and articles found in magazines, newspapers, or encyclopedias.
Question Mark
A question mark is used after a direct question (an interrogative
sentence) and to show doubt about the correctness of something.
Exclamation Point
An exclamation point is used to express strong feeling. It may be
placed after a word, a phrase, or a sentence.
Italics
Italic is a printer’s term for a slightly slanted style of type.
Italics are used to indicate titles and special words.
Tip: In handwritten material each word or letter which should be in
italics is underlined.
Parentheses
Parentheses are used around words included in a sentence to ad information
or to help make an idea clearer.
Capitalization
Capitalize the following:
Proper Nouns, Proper Adjectives, Names of People, Words used as Names,
Titles Used with Names, Historical Events, Abbreviations, Organizations.
Writing Friendly Letters
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.
Writing Tall Tales
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.
Publishing Your Writing
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.
And it also gets other people to listen to your ideas.
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!
All-school or classroom collections
Stories just for veterinarian clinics doctors’ offices, or other
waiting rooms
Manuals on how to do certain things
School-survival guides for younger students
Programs for school productions
Newspaper reports of class trips or projects
School handbook updates
Kid’s-eye view brochures for local travel agency of chamber
of commerce
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.
