Prewriting:
Making a Plan for Writing
Created by Christy Clausen
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Graphics and layout by Michelle Sekulich, Curriculum and Assessment
Prewriting …
Sets the Thinking in Motion
• Asks the writer to consider
topic, audience, and
purpose.
• Is engaging the writer in
thinking about and gathering
ideas.
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Prewriting
• Involves asking the
writer to envision what
will or has happened.
• Involves thinking about
what you already know
about the topic.
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Prewriting
• Can occur during, as well as
before, composition.
• Need not be time consuming
or even written down.
• Is a process, not a form.
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A Menu of Prewriting
Techniques
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Conversation/Talk
Quick-Write
List or Brainstorm
Graphic Organizer
Quality Literature
Artifacts/Concrete Objects
Draw
Research or Inquiry Experience
Drama
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A Menu of Prewriting
Techniques
•Conversation/Talk
•Quick-Write
•List or Brainstorm
•Graphic Organizer
•Quality Literature
•Artifacts/Concrete Objects
•Draw
•Research or Inquiry Experience
•Drama
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Conversation/Talk
as a Prewrite
“All writers need time to
think and talk about their
ideas. Talking helps
writers focus their idea
and discover how they
want to present it.”
(Freeman, 1999)
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Conversation/Talk as a Prewrite
“Young writers use talking
and drawing as their main
prewriting activity. Their
talking and drawing leads
them to their topics and
provides visual stimuli for
details about it.”
(Marcia Freeman)
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Turn & Talk (Setup)
1. Explain that talking is a way of
prewriting.
2. Set procedures for it.
• Sit knee-to knee.
• Share your topic.
• Think about the target skill.
• Model talking with a partner.
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Prewriting:
Talk about Your Topic
Activity:
¾Think of someone or
something you care
about.
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Turn & Talk
Activity:
¾Turn and talk to a
partner about your
topic.
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Turn & Talk
Activity:
¾Write for 3-5 minutes
about your topic.
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Conversation/Talk
(Whole group sharing of writing)
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Turn & Talk (Benefits)
• Allows students to think through
topic
• Develops topic with ideas
• Quality of writing increases
• Quantity of writing increases
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A Scaffolded Conversation
What is it?
An in-depth conversation
with a student while the
class listens in.
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A Scaffolded Conversation is…
• Purpose: Designed to ensure the writer has
rich ideas and language to think about and use
in his/her writing. Also, it ensures the writer
has models of thinking to emulate. In this
case, it provides models of thinking as a prewrite.
• Results: It produces excellent, coherent
writing.
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Prewriting:
A Scaffolded Conversation
(Demonstration &
Fishbowl Experience)
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Conversations are Critical
Amount of high-level
student talk correlates
with reading and
writing achievement.
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A Menu of Prewriting
Techniques
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Converse/Talk
Quick-Write
List or Brainstorm
Graphic organizer
Quality Literature
Artifacts/Concrete Objects
Draw
Research or Inquiry Experience
Drama
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Quick-Write
What is it?
9 It is an invitation to write.
9 It brings out the writer!
9 It builds student confidence.
9 It develops writing fluency (the ease, the flow, the
ideas).
9 It helps students focus their writing.
9 It focuses on content (not mechanics).
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Quick-Write Activity
Quick-Write ¾ Listen to a selection or
prompt.
¾ Write for 3-5 minutes, as
quickly as you can. Focus on
getting your ideas down onto
paper.
¾ Share quick-write (volunteers).
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A Menu of Prewriting
Techniques
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Conversation/Talk
Quick-Write
List or Brainstorm
Graphic Organizer
Quality Literature
Artifacts/Concrete Objects
Draw
Research or Inquiry Experience
Drama
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Make a List
Activity:
¾ Think of a hobby or
interest.
¾ Brainstorm a list of ideas
(of what you know) about
that topic.
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Jogging
(Sample List)
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Places
Enjoyment
Technique
Scheduling
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Make a List
Activity:
¾ Now…think of a logical
order and number
them.
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Jogging
1.
2.
3.
4.
Technique
Scheduling
Places
Enjoyment
Begin your writing!
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A Menu of Prewriting
Techniques
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Converse/Talk
Quick-Write
List or Brainstorm
Graphic Organizer
Quality Literature
Artifacts/Concrete Objects
Draw
Research or Inquiry Experience
Drama
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Graphic Organizer – 7 Boxes
Topic: My best friend - Sarah
Idea:
Sarah is caring
Idea:
Sarah is beautiful
Idea:
Sarah is great to be
around
Details:
•Helps me when
hurt
•Tripped and
scraped knee
•Treats others
fairly
•Says nice things
about others
Details:
•Has pretty blue
eyes
•Wavy bouncy hair
•Cute clothes
•All varsity T-Shirt
Details:
•Challenges me
•Plays soccer with
me
•Talks about school
and friendships
.
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Graphic Organizer - Primary
Idea: jack-o-lantern
Details:
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Triangular eyes
Glowing in the night
Jagged mouth
Scar on right cheek
Looks like a pirate
Smooth orange skin
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In Conclusion…
• Discuss the techniques with your grade level
team or partner.
• Select one to intentionally incorporate into
your writing program.
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The End-Session 1
Topics covered in Session 2:
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Quality Literature
Artifacts/Concrete Objects
Draw
Research or Inquiry Experience
Drama
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