1. An Introduction to the John Collins Writing Program

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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…

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. The John Collins Process:

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