Non-fiction Writing AKA Writing Across the Curriculum

Developed by Jane Cook, EASTCONN Literacy & Technology CoachSome slides from Harness the Power of Non-Fiction Writing in All Classrooms Webinar developed by the Center for Leadership & Learning

Approximately 80% of students taking the National Assessment of Educational Progress writing test have scored in the basic range for 30 years.

Business leaders overwhelmingly cite writing skills as critical to success in the workplace.

The public thinks writing skills are more important than ever.

Writing increases learning in all subjects.

Weaker adolescent writers are less likely than their more skilled classmates to: use writing to support and extend learning

in all subject areas. attend college.

Half of students entering college are not ready for the writing demands there.

Adolescent literacy levels have been stagnant for over 10 years.

Literacy is the main factor in the dropout rate (7000 students per day the United States).

Without adequate writing skills, students are not equipped for further education or meaningful work.

Students writing ___%0

1500 classrooms observed

Evidence of higher-order thinking ___%

Less than half the class engaged ___%

3

85

It’s actually quite simple…

…students who write outperform their peers who do not write.… “As time devoted to writing increases, scores increase.”

Has used frequent nonfiction writing with collaborative scoring for over 5 years

In 2008, every 5th grade student was proficient or higher in the state’s standards for reading, writing, and science

Analyzed available data Increased the amount of writing-to-

learn that students did Many students had previously

gotten zeroes on constructed-response test items

Test scores went up Grade 3, from 57% to 64% Grade 4, from 20% to 52%

Very few scores of zero

School-wide writing prompt given in October Data analyzed and most common

problems/errors addressed through instructional strategies

Grade 8 writing test in December Scores were up 21% over the previous

year!

90% poverty/90% minority/90% at proficient level

All the schools in the original study cited INCREASED NONFICTION WRITING with COLLABORATIVE SCORING as a necessary part of what they did to achieve success.

In column one of the Non-fiction Writing Learning Log handout are six key phrases related to today’s topic of Non-fiction Writing.

As you participate in today’s professional development session, think about how each of these key phrases is related to today’s topic. Also think about how each key phrase fits within the context of the work you do with students.

Write an explanation of that connection beside the key phrase in column two and write the content area connections you are making as they occur to you.

Think about the following question for a minute or two and jot down your answer/s: What is Non-fiction Writing?

Pair up with a partner and discuss your definition of non-fiction writing for 3 minutes. Be sure you each have a turn to talk.

Share one insight from your discussion with another partner pair.

“Non-fiction writing is the most widely read genre in

the world.”(Kamil & Lane, 1997)

“Elementary school children of both genders (not just boys) will choose to read nonfiction over stories nearly half the time, a finding that surprises many teachers.”

(Kletzien & Szabo, 1998)

“Studies have shown that academic

achievement in a range of subjects and fields relies heavily on informational reading and writing.”

(Duke, 2004)

“With the exception of attendance, opportunities to develop skills and abilities in non-fiction writing is the ‘number-one factor’ associated with improved test scores.”

(Reeves, 2002)

Characteristics of Non-fiction Writing

Is an umbrella genre for all types of non-fiction writing

Is the most common type of writing in the world.

Is not just the traditional 5 paragraph essay.

Exposes, sets forth , describes, informs or explains.

Recount Writing Report Writing Explanatory Writing Procedural Writing Persuasive Writing

Purpose: To retell past events; usually told in the order (sequence) in which they occurred

Examples of Recount Writing: A School Trip A Science Experiment A Current Event

Purpose: To provide factual information about a topic

Examples of Report Writing: An Individual Project (A sport, hobby, or

animal) A Class Project (The 50 States, Natural

Disasters)

Purpose: To explain how and why something happens or works; often combined with report or recount writing

Examples of Explanatory Writing: Describe how the cotton gin works. Answer the question: What causes rust to

develop? Explain the key factors that caused WWII.

Purpose: To instruct others how to carry out a process or procedure

Examples of Procedural Writing: How to get to my house A favorite recipe How to make a model Rules for games A science experiment The steps in solving a Math problem

Purpose: To persuade others to a particular point of view, not necessarily one’s own

Examples of Persuasive Writing: Create advertising posters Make up jingles Write speeches for a debate Write a book or movie review Write a “Letter to the Editor” Create a book or movie trailer video

What other examples can you think of?

Write one or more connections or questions in your Non-fiction Writing Learning Log.