Conventions Do Matter

I wrote extensively about dialogue
http://writingeverydayworks.wordpress.com/2008/06/02/writing-and-reading-dialogue-week-1/
http://writingeverydayworks.wordpress.com/2008/06/02/writing-and-reading-dialogue-week-3/
http://writingeverydayworks.wordpress.com/2008/06/02/dialogue-writing-lessons/

 
 Jeff Anderson is the author I use extensively for editing and conventions. He wrote Mechanically Inclined. He wrote Everyday Editing:  Inviting Students to Develop Skill and Craft in Writer’s Workshop.  I have written about his work numerous times here at Writing Every Day Works.

Hair Lesson by Jeff Anderson
http://writingeverydayworks.wordpress.com/2008/08/04/hair-lesson-by-jeff-anderson/

Great Sentences Blog
http://greatsentences.blogspot.com/
http://www.ohiorc.org/adlit/InPerspective/Issue/2007-05/Article/feature.aspx
Books that Help [...]

Stellaluna Mentor Text

Mentor texts using picture books are effective and one of my favorite ways to approach teaching.  I label the teaching strategy simply first in one-three words, then find it in the picture book.  I explain the teaching strategy in simple, general terms.  Finally, I explain the writing strategy specifically combining the picture book and the [...]

Hair Lesson by Jeff Anderson

You tube is awesome! I just found Jeff’s grammar lesson, “Hair Lesson.”
Hair Lesson by Jeff Anderson on You Tube
Jeff encourages us to ask effective questions:
- What do you notice?- What else?- How does it sound when we read it?- What would change if we removed this or that?- Which do you prefer? Why?
These questions [...]

Jeff Anderson is Awesome!

Jeff Anderson encourages students to study sentences that are correct instead of D.O.L. which is studying error. He is awesome! I have his DVD’s and have read all his books. If you ever get a chance to hear him at a workshop, GO!
http://greatsentences.blogspot.com/ This website supports Jeff’s work.

Compound Sentences

Name the CraftUse a comma and a coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses. Conjunctions are connectors that link equal words, phrases, or clauses. Coordinating conjunctions cue readers in on the relationships. (Jeff Anderson, Mechanically Inclined)
Conjunctions spell out the acronym FANBOYS:ForAndNorButOrYetSo
Do writers need this? Maybe, maybe not! However, on most [...]

Simile

Name the CraftA simile is a technique that the author uses to describe the unknown by comparing it to the known. Authors use similes to describe something quickly rather than writing a long description.

Commas in a Series

Name the CraftUse commas between items in a series

Vary Sentence Length

Name the CraftNotice that the author uses a variety of different lengths of sentences.

Snapshots

Name the Craft

When the writer wants the reader to picture a moment in time, the writer will describe the sounds, the smells, the specific action. Often the writer will pretend to take a snapshot or a photograph of the setting and visualize it. What do you see in this moment of time? How will you [...]

Italics

Name the CraftNotice that the author uses a special font for emphasis when writing.