Supporting Young Writers

• Be positive. Emphasize first, and more frequently, what works in a piece, rather than what doesn't.
• Your first sentence gives a very clear introduction....
• I really like the way you used this specific word to let your reader know exactly what you meant.
• Choose the most important strengths and weaknesses in students' work when giving feedback.
• Be sure to comment on pieces in first-draft form, so that students have a chance to make changes. Comments given after a final draft is completed get less attention.
• Address the content of students' writing first, then deal with mechanics.
• Carve out time for students to read and respond to one another's writing, so that they learn how to be effective peer respondents.

Adapted from Graves, M. F., C. Juel, and B. B. Graves. Teaching Reading in the 21st Century, 446-448. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 2001.