The first two books of this series teach writing as a 5-step process (Prewriting, Drafting, Revising, Editing, and Publishing). The step-by-step lessons use examples and easy-to-understand concept maps that teach brainstorming, planning, editing, and revising. Each lesson is followed by practice that includes a simple, time-saving scoring rubric. The third book teaches students techniques to strengthen their writing skills.

Level 1 teaches narrative (personal and story), opinion, and informative/explanatory writing for Grades 3-5.

Level 2 teaches argumentative, narrative, and informative/explanatory writing for Grades 6-7.

Essential Tips & Techniques This book teaches students techniques to strengthen their writing.

In order to express thoughts clearly and precisely to make writing come alive, the students will:

• Use vivid verbs, specific nouns, and strong adjectives
• Spot unnecessary adjectives and adverbs
• Recognize and correct pronoun antecedent confusion
• Use the active voice rather than the passive voice
• Be careful of qualifiers
• Correct issues with point of view
• Show, not tell
• Use sensory details

 To write more interesting sentences that make writing flow in a logical manner, the students will:

• Vary sentence types: simple, compound, and complex
• Vary sentence beginnings
• Use effective transition words and phrases
• Use appositives to add meaning to sentences

 To make writing more appealing to readers, students will use the following literary devices:

• Similes
• Metaphors
• Hyperbole
• Alliteration
• Repetition
• Personification
• Anthropomorphism
• Onomatopoeia