Themepark

communication
Writing

Writing is sometimes referred to as humankind's greatest invention. Undeniably, the development of communication by writing was a pivotal step in the advance of human civilization.

Modern theories on writing instruction focus on the process of writing-the practices experienced writers typically use as they craft texts. The process-approach to writing focuses on methods for generating, drafting, revising, and polishing a piece of writing. As inexperienced writers become better versed in these steps and the various strategies they entail, they become more aware of textual and syntactic possibilities and how they help to achieve meaning.

 

Places To Go    People To See    Things To Do    Teacher Resources   Bibliography

Places To Go

A+ Research and Writing: Step by Step
This site, at the Internet Public Library, provides excellent information on how to research and write a research paper. 
ABC's of the Writing Process
This site shows the five basic steps in the writing process: prewriting, writing, revising, editing and publishing. Viewers will find suggestions for how to complete each step and links for more ideas.
The Elements of Style
"The Elements of Style," is an easy-to-understand guide to correct grammar. This online version contains the complete original text. It is filled with tips on how to write clearly and correctly and how to avoid the most common grammatical errors.
Paradigm Online Writing Assistant
This is a comprehensive online textbook covering all aspects of writing.
Purdue's Online Writing Lab
Purdue OWL offers over 200 free resources including: Writing and Teaching Writing, Research, Grammar and Mechanics, Style Guides, ESL (English as a Second Language), and Job Search and Professional Writing.
University of Richmond Writing Center
This site, maintained by the Writing Center at the University of Richmond, includes excellent material on getting started with writing projects and tips on peer editing. Visit, also, the material in "Focusing & Connecting Ideas." 
The University of Victoria's Hypertext Writer's Guide
This guide contains many good points that can help writersl. Clear suggestions and examples help students with the process of writing, including organizing, outlining, drafting, and editing their work. There are sections on grammar, spelling, and usage, as well as proper use of quotations.
Vocabulary University
Visit the Vocabulary University to learn how to punch up your writing with new and fresh words.
Writing Den
Writing Den is designed for students Grades 6 through 12 seeking to improve their English reading, comprehension, and writing skills. It is divided into three levels of difficulty: words, sentences and paragraphs. 

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People To See

Children's Author Websites
This hotlist of author websites.
Scholastic's Author Index
Meet your favorite authors and discover some new ones. The site features live interviews, classroom activities, and author profiles.

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Things To Do

The Biography Maker
Learn what you need to know to research a person and write a biography.
Citation Machine
Citation machine helps students and professional researchers to properly credit the information that they use.
The Cliché Finder
Hold the fort! Use this searchable website to find out if your writing is filled to the brim with clichés. Don't eat your heart out if it is, just consider this website a guiding light to help you seize the bull by the horns and write better.
Easy Bib
Automatic works cited and bibliography formatting for MLA, APA and Chicago/Turabian citation styles.
Famous Quotes: Famous Ephitaphs
Visit this site to find Famous Epitaphs on tomb stones.
Guide to Writing a Basic Essay
This online tutorial teaches some basic essay-writing concepts.
History of Writing
Explore the history of writing from earliest man to present time.
KnightCite
This service simplifies the often tedious task of compiling an accurate bibliography in the appropriate style by formatting the given data on a source into a reliable citation, eliminating the need to memorize minute details of style for multiple kinds of sources.
Omniglot: A Guide to Written Language
Study the differences among the alphabets of the world. Who uses the Coptic alphabet?
Paragraph Punch
This web site takes users through the actual steps of writing a basic paragraph. Users develop an idea and write their own topic sentence, body, and conclusion.
Roget's Thesaurus
Learn new words to add variety to your writing.
Storyteller
In StoryTeller, you are the author. You can contribute a story yourself or read the many stories written by children from around the world. Click on the topic you'd like to contribute to.
Using Appropriate Language
This site covers some of the major issues with appropriate language use: levels of language formality, deceitful language and Euphemisms, slang and idiomatic expressions; using group-specific jargon; and biased/stereotypical language.
Wacky Web Tales
Choose from over a dozen different story titles, then fill in the blanks for different parts of speech. After you've identified all the words, click and a nonsensical story will be made with them.
What is Plagiarism?
Learn how to avoid stealing other people's words when you write.
The Writer's Workshop: MLA Citation Style
Cite your sources correctly using MLA style.
The Writing Center: APA Style
Cite your sources correctly using APA style.

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Teacher Resources

Edgar Allan Poe: Father of Horror 
Have students learn more about the works of the 18th century weaver of horror tales, Edgar Allan Poe. 
The Flat Stanley Project
FlatStanley Project The international literacy and community building activity for students of all ages, teachers and families.
The Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory 6+1 Traits of Writing
The 6+1 Trait® Writing Model of Instruction & Assessment provides a common language for teachers and students to communicate about the characteristics of writing and establishes a clear vision of what good writing looks like.
Lesson Plans/WebQuests

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Bibliography

  • Atwell, Nancy. In the Middle: New Understandings About Writing, Reading, and Learning. Boynton/Cook, 1998.
  • Elbow, Peter. Writing with Power: Techniques for Mastering the Writing Process. Oxford Univ Press, 1998.
  • Kirby, Dan and Tom Liner. Inside Out: Developmental Strategies for Teaching Writing. Boynton/Cook, 1998.
  • Moffett, James. Teaching the Universe of Discourse. Boynton/Cook, 1987.
  • Strong, William. Sentence Combining: A Composing Book. McGraw-Hill, 1994.
  • Sunflower, Cherlyn. Really Writing!: Ready-To-Use Writing Process Activities for the Elementary Grades. Center for Applied Research in Education, 2000. d Books, 1992.