An Introduction to the John Collins Writing Program

John Collins Writing Basics: ◊ The John Collins Writing program includes five different types of writing ◊ When using John Collins, you will skip every other line on the paper ◊ There is a certain format expected with John Collins Writing (we will look at this format together later!) ◊ Writing is kept in school in writing folders

5 Types of Writing: Type 1: Capture Ideas Type 2: Respond Correctly Type 3: Edit for FCA’s Type 4: Peer Edit for FCA’s Type 5: Writing to Publish

Type 1 Writing: What is It?: Informal writing to generate ideas, explore, or recall NO right or wrong answers “Getting ideas on paper” Like brainstorming and journal writing Required number of lines Timed writing Brain dump writing – no stopping… Check/Check-plus/Check-minus grading

Type 2 Writing: What is It?: Writing that “shows” the writer knows something about the topic Correct answer to a question Usually a quiz grade Write 3 things… Write a paragraph that tells 3 ways that…alike and 3 ways different…. Explain five different ways…

Type 3 Writing: What is it?: More formal writing with specific requirements known as “Focus Correction Areas” (FCA’s) Writers create a draft, read it out loud in a “one foot voice” and review it to answer these questions: Does it sound right? Is it easy to read? Did I achieve my goals? Have I carefully checked for focus correction areas? Revising and editing done on the first draft

Type 4 Writing: What is It?: More formal writing with specific FCA’s Is read out loud by the writer Is read and critiqued by another person (peer editing) Requires two drafts to make all changes and revisions

Type 5 Writing: What is It?: Formal writing for the purpose of publishing Multiple drafts, corrections, and revisions Self editing, peer editing, and teacher editing

Focus Correction Areas (FCA’s): FCA’s show what the teacher expects you to have in your writing FCA’s can include capitalization, punctuation, sentence variety, indentation, spelling, etc. FCA’s are written on the upper left of your paper You will be graded on whether you follow the FCA’s You may be asked to underline, circle, and/or highlight some of your FCA’s

The John Collins Process:

Proper Format…. Title Name FCA’s Date Class X_______________________________________________________ X________________________________________________________