Effective Notebook Writing: Criteria, Atmosphere, and Traits

1. Table of Contents Page # Title Date 1 Notebook Criteria 2 Writing Atmosphere 3 Ideas & Content- Trait 1 4 Organization- Trait 2 5 Conventions- Trait 3 6 Sentence Fluency- Trait 4 7 Word Choice- Trait 5 8 Voice- Trait 6

2. Table of Contents Page # Title Date 9 Revision (Process) 10 Editing (Process)

3. Books for Writing Notebooks • Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin • Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin • Amelia’s Notebook by Marissa Moss • Max’s Logbook by Marissa Moss

4. 1 Notebook Criteria • Please stay in the margins. • Do not tear out pages. • No drawing unless instructed to do so. • Your writing must be neat enough to read. • Use only blue or black ink or pencil. • Highlighters are only for highlighting!

5. A-Side • Write only on the front side of the pages (A side) • Use minimal glue when attaching handouts • Put the handouts on the correct pages B-Side • Write on the front and back of the pages. • Skip one line between entries. • Follow Directions!

6. 2 Writing Atmosphere • Looks Like… • Desk is cleared; only writing notebook and pencil or pen. • Eyes are on your paper. • Body is relatively still or quiet. • Sounds Like… • Quiet or relatively silent. • You might hear pens and pencils moving, pages turning. • You should hear minimal erasing.

7. Feels Like… • Your mind is focused. • You might be excited about your topic. • Peaceful/relaxing.

8. 3 Ideas and Content- Trait 1 Definition– The important things you write about. The message; what you are trying to say. Includes the 5 Ws and H (Who, What, Where, When, Why and How). Features– The writing is clear and focused. Interesting details are carefully selected. Hints– Write “from the heart”. Write about what you know. Keep it small and precise, with clear ideas. See glued handout (opposite page).

9. Books for Ideas and Content • Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox • Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street by Roni Schotter • How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Mark Teague

10. 4 Organization- Trait 2 Definition– Ideas and details that are written in a way that makes sense. Features– Your writing has an inviting lead (first two sentences). The details fit where placed, and transitions are used. Your writing has an obvious beginning, middle and end. Hints– Identify the different parts of the piece (beginning, middle and end). Spend time developing each part. Arrange the parts in a logical order. See glued handout (opposite page).

11. Books for Organization • Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch by Trinka Noble • Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

12. 5 Conventions- Trait 3 Definition– The rules that make up a language. Spelling, punctuation, capitalization, paragraphing, and grammar usage. Features– Makes the text correct and easier to read. Hints– Read the writing aloud to see if it “sounds” right. Use a variety of punctuation to develop sentences of different lengths. See glued handout (opposite page).

13. Books for Conventions • Yo! Yes? by Chris Raschka • No, David! by David Shannon • Punctuation takes a Vacation by Robin Pulver

14. 6 Sentence Fluency– Trait 4 Definition– The natural flow of language. A variety of sentence types, and a variety of sentence lengths. Features– Individual sentences make sense. Some sentences are longer than others. The sentences begin in different ways and the piece of writing is easy to read aloud. Hints– Cut the “deadwood”. Next I’m going to tell you about… At this point in time… Notice how your sentences begin. Read the writing aloud to see if it “sounds” right. See glued handout (opposite page).

15. Books for Sentence Fluency • If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Numeroff • The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown • Live and Learn and Pass It On by H. Jackson Brown • Feathers and Fools by Mem Fox

16. 7 Word Choice– Trait 5 Definition– Specific words are carefully chosen to create an image in the reader’s mind. Features– The writing has fresh, precise and accurate words. Specific nouns and energetic verbs are used. The author effectively uses figurative language (similes, metaphors, personifications, etc.) Hints– Say exactly what you mean. Develop a critical eye toward the verbs. Keep your vocabulary natural. Select words that create a picture. See glued handout (opposite page).

17. Books for Word Choice • My Cat Jack by Patricia Casey • Hen Lake by Mary Jane Auch • Water by Frank Asch

18. 8 Voice– Trait 6 Definition– The personality and emotion of the writer comes through the words. Features– The writing has energy and engages the reader. It is honest and compelling, and humor is used with control. Hints– A narrative piece should be personal, friendly. An expository piece is factual, sincere. A persuasive piece should be passionate and authoritative. See glued handout (opposite page).

19. Books for Voice • Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting • Brother Eagle, Sister Sky by Chief Seattle • The Private Notebook of Katie Roberts, Age 11 by Amy Hest • Through Grandpa’s Eyes by Patricia MacLachlan

20. 9 Revision– Process Definition– To look at your writing and make changes and improvements. Try and make the piece more creative and complete. To evaluate the content, organization and style of a piece of writing. Requires 3 Rs *Rereading, Rethinking and Reflection* Hints– Add new details; delete irrelevant information. Move pieces so that the writing “fits” together and flows. Choose your words carefully. See glued handout (opposite page).

21. 10 Edit– Process Definition– To fix or correct the conventions in a piece of writing. To make the writing as error free as possible. Requires careful rereading. Hints– Check everything, then check it again! Read it aloud, slowly. Look for correctly spelled but misused words. Have someone else look at it. See glued handout (opposite page).