Many children are born storytellers, filling days with creative play and interesting conversations to the delight of their families, friends, and Orange County private school instructors. However, writing these ideas on paper often proves to be more of a challenge than many students realize. Oftentimes, stories are created for family members who are keenly aware of all occurrences in that child’s life, and lack of segues or a common thread is overlooked since the overall idea is understood. Transferring these jumbled thoughts to a polished paper may seem a daunting task; the ideas below will give a general framework of what is required for better creative writing skills.
When your child is ready to write a story, do not simply hand over a story outline on a piece of paper and expect your child to follow it. An overabundance of involved steps may prove overwhelming and thwart the writing process from the outset. Instead, break the process into small pieces and present them individually as the process flows. For instance, if your child is writing about a new cat she adopted, ask “What is your story about?” The answer, or thesis statement, is the basis of the story and all sentences should further explain the thesis. Next, ask your child about three or four different ideas based on adopting her pet, for instance, How did she decide on a cat? Where was the cat adopted? What does she like about having a cat?
For older Orange County private school students, the writing process is more involved. While the thesis statement is still tantamount, it may contain an opinion rather than a story. Opinions may not match those of their peers; teach your child to choose one side and defend it. Likewise, opinions require facts to back them up, and organizing these facts logically is an important facet in the writing process. With all the facts and ideas researched, it is imperative to organize thoughts on paper, tie sentences and paragraphs together with segues, and ensure all information relates to the thesis statement.
Once the rough draft is completed, have your child read the paper thoroughly, searching for usage or typographical errors. Lastly, read the paper aloud to determine if it flows properly, or if further editing will improve fluidity. With practice, these steps will become easier and your child’s writing process will flourish.
For additional information regarding the improvement of your child’s writing and grammatical skills, contact the Orange County private school experts at Lake Forrest Preparatory School today.