How to develop "sentence fluency" in your writing.

Some people are born with a natural ability to put their thoughts into words, but the ability to effectively put those words on paper requires a lot of hard work and practice.  Good writing is a skill that develops over time; therefore, consistent instruction to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to write well is imperative. 

That’s where Shurley English makes a huge impact!  Each year, our curriculum teaches and reinforces the Traits of Effective Writing so that students have a better chance to develop a strong foundation in the writing process.  The curriculum is designed to teach students how to communicate their thoughts effectively and write for all purposes with competence and confidence!

Sentence Fluency

Sentence Fluency is the 5th Trait of Effective Writing.  It is defined as the ability to use various types of sentences and transition words to make writing sound smooth and polished.  The skills required to master Sentence Fluency take time to develop; however, they make a huge difference in the overall effectiveness of a writing piece.

We encourage you to help your students master the art of sentence fluency. If you need assistance, the Shurley English curriculum is here to help!

How to help your students develop "voice" in their writing.

In the 1960’s, a researcher by the name of Paul Diederich asked a group of language arts professionals a simple question:  “What makes writing effective?”  As the responses rolled in, Diederich was able to configure them into six distinct traits and coined them as the Traits of Effective Writing.  Amazingly, these six traits are still being used today as a framework for teaching and assessing all types of writing at every stage of writing development. 

Voice

Teaching “voice” doesn’t have to be difficult!  The key is to establish clear goals and objectives to help students understand and apply the 3rd Trait of Effective Writing.  Today, I will provide you with some background information and give you a few tricks to help students effectively demonstrate voice. 

Let’s begin with the definition.  “Voice” is the individual way a writer expresses himself or herself; it’s that personal, unique style of using words and expressions to convey meaning in a way that jumps off the page and leaves the writer’s imprint on the reader.  The same words and expressions that tend to flow freely during conversation are often difficult for writers to express effectively.  One reason is because there are no set rules for “how” or “where” to include “voice” in a piece of writing. 

Teachers need to understand that words and expressions that convey voice do not always magically appear.  Students must be taught how to apply voice in their writing.  Good modeling is important.  As students’ knowledge, skill, and practice pertaining to the use of voice increases, their personalities are sure to shine through.   It’s up to you to nurture the development of voice and help students hone their skills by providing lots of practice!