1. Daily Writing Folder A place to keep all your daily writing along with some resources to help you as a writer.

2. Writing Folder Construction POCKET FOLDER WITH BRADS FRONT TOP LEFT: last name first, first name last FRONT TOP RIGHT: period # BACK: Decorate to express your “voice.” FRONT: List/briefly describe the 6-Traits of Writing/Decorate

3. 6-Traits of Writing VI COWS : V = voice I = ideas C = conventions O = organization W = word choice S = sentence fluency

4. Writing Folder Contents LEFT POCKET: * student writing record * writing options list * topic list * writing process sheet BRADS: Lots of paper

5. Writing Folder Contents RIGHT POCKET: * proofreading marks * skills list * favorite words * spelling demons

6. Writing Folder Contents END OF YEAR Remove handouts from your daily writing folder and put them in your permanent writing portfolio to be passed onto your next year’s teacher. You may take home the remaining contents of your daily writing folder.

7. Writing Folder Rules Never throw anything away—every piece of writing shows your effort and may even serve as an idea for future writing. Never take your writing folder from the classroom. Contents of lost daily writing folders can never be replaced.

8. Writing Process Writing is a process. Nothing ever published was perfect on the first writing. The more time one spends on the process, the better the final product. Your writing folder should have lots of evidence of writing process.

9. Writing Process Typically, the best first drafts have had thoughtful prewriting—organization of thoughts before one ever begins to write. Use your prewriting to write your first draft. Don’t worry about spelling, etc., just get your thoughts on paper.

10. Writing Process After you get your thoughts on paper, go back and reread it to correct any gross errors (repeated/missing words, etc.) Ask a peer to read/listen to you read your writing and respond to it (give you helpful feedback of what he/she likes, doesn’t understand, or questions). Keep an open mind. Peer response provides valuable information for revision.

11. Writing Process Revision is an important part of any writing. The more you revise, the better your writing. This is where you add, change, and delete to make your writing better. However, it’s often better to observe the 72-hour rule before revising.

12. Writing Process After you revise your writing to your satisfaction, edit it for conventions (proper spelling, grammar, mechanics, etc.). It is always good to have another person help you edit your writing. Someone will often see errors you missed.

13. Writing Process Neatly make a final copy of your writing making sure to include all revising/editing changes. Staple all your rough drafts to the back of your final copy to show evidence of writing process.

14. Publication Keep an eye out for publication possibilities. In addition to having your writing posted around the classroom and school, there are many places online that publish student writing, and many magazines will actually pay students ages 5-19 for their writing.

15. Assessing Your Writing To get better as a writer, you need to regularly assess your writing. * What are you doing well? * What needs work? Remember, effective and powerful writing takes time, practice, and self awareness, and it is rewarding in many ways.