Reviews (27)

The Best Writing Source that You Haven't Heard About
This is the writing resource that I wish I had been introduced to back in high school when writing essays and term papers. It is accessible for high school students but can also provide guidance for those out of school.

With writing becoming increasingly important in high school (the SAT is about to add a writing section), this is an invaluable pedagogical resource for the teacher and student. High school and college student with superior writing skills will always differentiate themselves from their peers. By using this book, the student will improve organization and construction of essays and term papers as well as improve analytical reasoning and thinking. There is even a section of appropriate language for business writing. Teachers will find the most improvement in student's revising skills, a step that most high school students skip over in the writing process.

It is more useful as a writing resource than as an authority on grammar. For a grammar resource, I recommend Dianne Hacker's Writer's Reference. Another useful writing resource for those out of school is Peter Elbow's Writing Without Teachers. Elbow's book is quoted several times in Writer's Inc. for providing suggestions for lifelong improvement of writing out of school. Another perennial favorite is E.B. White's Elements of Style.

More parents, students, and educators should be made aware of this book. It is a good investment.

An Invaluable Resource
Before I reached high school, I thought that English books were the most boring books in the world. When I was assigned to study from "Writers Inc" in 9th grade, however, my opinion changed drastically. "Writers Inc" may be an English book, but it is so helpful and so fun to read that it doesn't seem like one. In addition to having sections for the writing process, personal writing, subject writing, creative writing, persuasive writing, academic writing, research writing, and workplace writing, it also has a student almanac that contains important dates, maps, scientific/mathematical info, government, and language info. The most helpful part of the book, though, is the mechanics section. "Writers Inc" contains a handy guide to proofreading that will be indispensable to students as they learn to improve grammatically -- I know that it has taught me a lot about using the correct syntax. The centrality of all of the "rules" to writing is worth the price of the book alone! Of course, you'll learn a lot from the rules, but you'll also learn from how the book teaches you to adapt your writing to fit a certain purpose. There is even a section devoted to writing better book reviews! :-)

As you can tell, I am very happy with this English textbook -- so happy that I went out and bought a personal copy. "Writers Inc" is simply an invaluable resource for learning to write well. I recommend that school administrators use it as the primary English textbook at their school, and I recommend it to all students wishing to improve their English skills (certainly something that no human is perfect at). Even though I may be an English geek, please take my advice and read this book . . . there is something for everyone to learn.

essential guide
I was introduced to this book in high school where we were required to have a copy and use it throughout all four years of English classes. I found it so invaluable that my first copy was worn out during college. Combined with "The Elements of Sytle" (Strunk and White), there is no excuse for poor writing.

By far the best
By far the best writing tool you could (and you most definately will) ever need. It's concise and comprehensive, and a must-buy. It has a feature which I think is hard to find: it's updated to deal with todays media, such as television and the internet. I even used it to write this review. :)

Use it for life!
I bought this book in 1993 as a requirement for my high school freshman English class. I have used it so much over the years that the spine is barely holding together! The information is laid out so simply and it is wonderfully easy to understand. The only reason you'll ever need to update it is to keep up with new rules on sourcing. My copy was written before there were even encyclopedias on CD-rom, much less the internet! But I still use it today -- 10 years and a master's degree later! ... Read more

Book Description

This book is based on the simple idea that every writer has a "tool box." Instead of awls and hammers, a writer's toolbox contains words, imagination, a love of books, a sense of story, and ideas for how to make the writing live and breathe. I wrote this book to give you some practical strategies to throw into your toolbox. I hope you'll try them, because these are ideas that can make you a better writer.

This book is titled Live Writing, and you may be wondering what I mean by that. Most of us have read (and written!) the opposite kind of writing-dull, drab language that sounds about as interesting as a city phone book. By "live writing" I mean the kind of writing that has a current running through it-energy, electricity, juice. When we read "live writing", the words seem to lift off the page and burrow deep inside us. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Third in a Fantastic Trio by Fletcher
Ralph Fletcher has written a trio of fantastic books for young writers. "A Writer's Notebook" is about gathering material; "How Writers Work" is about the process of writing; and "Live Writing" is about craft, or how to write well. Most importantly, these three books are written directly to kids, in a warm and personal rather than "textbook" manner. I don't know of any other author who writes books on writing for kids, and this genre is so needed! Plus all of Fletcher's books are very engaging and well-written.

Fletcher selects what he feels are the most important aspects of craft for this book. My notes on some of them follow:
Characters
· Characters are the most important part of a story.
· The plot should grow out of the characters, and not the other way around.
· Characters must first be born in your mind.
· Build characters from people you know.
· Give physical descriptions of your characters.
· Characters should be complex, containing both good and bad.
· Write letters to and from your characters, asking them questions!
Voice
· Best way to develop it is through your writer's notebook.
· Think of writing as chatting on paper.
· Always have a particular audience in mind.
· Be honest!
· Writing is trying to get readers to see something as you do.
Conflict
· Types of.
· Don't wait long to develop it.
· Don't solve it too quickly.
· Don't end a story too abruptly or predictably.
Time
· Writing time isn't the same as real time.
· Slow down "hot spots."
· Skip over unimportant time quickly.
· Narrow the time frame to key points.
· Flashbacks are usually needed; they represent memories, what makes a character tick.

Great for Teaching Writing
This easy to understand book is good for writers of all ages. I have used lessons from this book to help my middle school and high school students improve their writing. Fletcher concentrates on specific aspects of writing, like leads or characters, and uses simple but powerful examples that implicitly show students how to improve their writing. If you are using a workshop class, many of his ideas lend themselves to effective mini-lessons.

Live Writing
I think everyone should go and buy this book. It is worthy of 5 stars.This book trys to help you become a better writer by sharing some of Ralph Fletcher's experiances. If you like this book I reccomend you read Spider Boy or A writer's notebook. ( The book before Live Writing) ... Read more

Book Description

Maybe you've heard before that poetry is magic, and it made you roll your eyes, but I believe it's true. Poetry matters. At the most important moments, when everyone else is silent, poetry rises to speak.

I wrote this book to help you write poems and to give practical ideas for making your poems sound the way you want them to sound. We're not going to smash poems up into the tiniest pieces. This book is about writing poetry, not analyzing it. I want this book to help you have more wonderful. moments in the poetry you write. I want you to feel the power of poetry. it's my hope that through this book you will discover lots of ways to make your poems shine, sing, soar...

Reviews (2)

This is a Great Book for learning how to write poetry!
Hi, I really enjoyed reading Ralph Fletcher's book "Poetry Matters: Writing a Poem from the inside out." He gives lots of good examples. He has interviews with two other poets in the book for ideas on poetry. He makes poetry interesting and fun to learn! I also enjoyed his poetry!

Well Done
If you feel like you are a real poet within, this book will help you get it out. One word of caution, everyone thinks he or she is a poet. Yes, everyone is a bad poet and every once in a great while a great poet will emerge. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ages 8-12. Fans of Harriet the Spy who want to try keeping their own writer's notebook will appreciate this inspiring handbook. Written in a direct, non-condescending style, writer-to-writer, it offers realistic, experienced advice on how to keep notes and use them to create stories and poems. Fletcher, author of the ALA Notable children's book Fig Pudding, fleshes the book out with numerous examples from his own notebooks and from those of other writers, child and adult. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A Book That Should Be In All Classrooms
This was a wonderful book. After attending a great seminar where Ralph Fletcher spoke, I was curious about his book. I can't even begin to tell you how refeshing and honest his ideas are. He helps to break down some of the stereotypes and fears that students have about writing. While doing this, he opens up the door for all different student writers so that they can feel comfortable with their own ideas. He gives their never ending thoughts a place to live while providing colorful examples that are easy to follow. Fletcher takes the often mundane task of journal writing one step further and provides an innovative tool that will help students begin to flourish as writers and poets in the classroom. This book is a must read for teachers and students. It will leave you wanting to create your own notebook as soon as you are finished reading.

Great Inspiration for All Ages
While this book is written for a Young Adult audience, I just love reading about writing (of course hoping to jump in someday and do it) and this is a very good book to get you going.

Fletcher takes you step by step into the hows and whys of creating and keeping a Writers Notebook, and discusses the birth of great ideas from little notes on life. He also touches on great tips like writing with honesty, including about things that hurt the most.

While I believe this to be an inspiring book for all (I now have 2 notebooks for my writing observations) I see it as an impressive gift, along with a small nice notebook, of course, for that little someone in your life who may have the gift to see, and write, life as it is to them. If you enjoy the idea of writing your self, this is a great place to start.

our "other writing teacher"
I teach second and third grade, and I use this and Ralph Fletcher's other books in this series, regularly in my classroom. I read parts of them out loud to my students, then we discuss how we can use Fletcher's ideas in our own writing. Fletcher writes to his young audience with a great deal of respect. He addresses them as authors in a way that both makes them believe that they really ARE authors, and also gives them the tools to really BE authors.

This book influenced how I helped my students set up their writing notebooks, and has also influenced how I have set up my own.

While these books are written for upper elementary-middle school students, I find that as read alouds they are accessible to younger kids; they are also helpful to anyone beyond middle school age who wants writing to become more a part of their own life.

Writing teachers - Excellent for classroom use!
I am studying how to better teach writing as part of my Rank 1 program (the highest level teachers in our state can achieve), and this is one of the books I highly recommend to other writing teachers. The best way to use it is to buy a classroom set (if possible), and read 4 chapters a week the first month of school. Each chapter Fletcher has something for the kids to try in their Writers Notebooks, so by all means, have them try whatever it is. Let kids decorate their Writers Notebooks too before you begin, so it's personalized and it feels more important to them. One of the chapter is about making lists...any kind of lists. He gives lots of examples from kids, which is one of the strong points about this book. It is aimed at kids, not adults. Another chapter is about snatches of talk that you overhear in a store or the mall. Write down these snatches and later they might form the basis of a story idea or poem. Again, he gives excellent examples that kids can relate to. After using the ideas in this book, all my kids want to do now is WRITE! What a great thing that is.

Bully Frog
Once upon a little girl was running ana suddenly she saw a mean frog and the frog was saying mean words to to little girl that her name Eliza and eliza got grumy and mean ,too. So the little girl said "Hey what are doing?"

The End ... Read more

Book Description

Its misleading to think of writers as special creatures, word sorcerers who possess some sort of magic knowledge hidden from everyone else. Writers are ordinary people who like to write. They feel the urge to write, and scratch that itch every chance they have. Writers get their ideas down on paper using particular strategies that seem to work for them. These strategies are available to anyone who wants to be a writer

There is no secret. But there is a process. If you like to write, there are definite steps you can take to help you reach your goals. Good writing isn't forged by magic or hatched out of thin air. Good writing happens when human beings follow particular steps to take control o their sentences-to make their words do what they want them to do.

This book will show you how writers work, how you can become a writer, and how you can find a process that works for you

Reviews (2)

Another Indispensable Book for Kid Writers by Ralph Fletcher
This book is unique in that it talks directly to kids about writing, in a personal rather than a "textbook" manner. I can't think of any other books for kids that do this (other than the others by Fletcher listed at the end), and it is so valuable! The book is also simply very interesting and well-written.

This book is not about the craft and mechanics of writing, but about how to establish that all-important *habit* of writing. It's about all the elements that enable and support a person to actually write. I don't know whether this book or "A Writer's Notebook" by Ralph Fletcher should be read first; they are both so important. I'm thinking of having my students read them concurrently.

I love the fact that Fletcher does not teach "the process," but rather encourages kids to find their own process. He cautions students not to "prewrite the life out of their topic" through excessive prewriting. It is also made clear, through the book's inspiring interviews with children's writers, that the processes that these successful writers use differ greatly from each other. One of the authors says she would never talk about her topic before writing about it, because "ideas bring with them an energy to write them. If I talk about them instead, I lose that initial energy that's crucial." I am a prolific writer, have almost never written an outline (before writing) in my life, and have always disagreed with requiring kids to do so (see Peter Elbow books for more on the process I use - freewriting).

Some of the topics this book goes into are where to write, finding an idea, brainstorming, getting started, amount to write, rereading, handwriting vs. using a computer, research, rough drafting, revision, and the proper place of grammar and spelling (definitely never "disturb the flow," when you're writing well, to deal with them). In all these topics, a variety of options are given, with liberal use of quotes from both kids and adult authors.

Fletcher makes it clear that "getting an idea" and "getting started" are two distinct activities, and not necessarily related. It's common to have a great idea that you never bring to fruition, and even more common to just start writing, with no ideas initially. In fact he goes into the value of writing "just a bunch of slop," and valuing it as a form of "exercising."

His overall message is that although some people are born or inspired writers, for most people, writing is hard work. You have to live a full life to have material; be conscientious in capturing those inspired thoughts and moments in your writer's notebook; do the tough work of writing something bad as a first draft; be open to "radical surgery" type revision; reread your own work incessantly; solicit feedback; be a careful editor; and look for appropriate places to publish.

Lastly, I read this book as a mother of three and a teacher who supervises homeschooling families. Since reading this (and Fletcher's other wonderful books: "A Writer's Notebook" and "Live Writing"), I haven't been able to stop writing poetry myself (which is not something I normally do)!

An Excellent Book for Young Writers
This charming little book offers a solid, user-friendly introduction to the fundamental steps of the writing process. Fletcher uses a clear and simple prose style to lead young readers through the creative writing process, from generating an idea and writing the first draft, to rereading and revising, to proofreading, editing, and publishing. Along the way, he discusses the importance of finding a suitable place to write, strategies for brainstorming, and methods of overcoming writer's block. Also included are several author interviews to provide alternative approaches to the writing process as well as a bibliography of recommended fiction and writing-related nonfiction. Beginning writers of any age may find inspiration in the practical strategies and encouraging sentiments set forth in this simple but elegant guide. ... Read more

Book Description

Multiple Options for Achieving a Single Goal

With its combination of composition segments, grammar lessons, literature models, and hands-on practice exercises, Writer's Choice initiates, expands, and executes what it takes to make your students willing, proficient writers. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Elements of Writing
I believe that this is one of the best educational writing instruction tools that I have seen in our school system. The book describes step by step the elements of writing in the English language. There are interesting articles and stories to keep the child interested while learning the basics. There are also enough excercises to practice what they are learning. The book explores punctuation, rules for capitalization, usage of the language and how to easily diagram a sentence. Excellent glossary with additional information and resources. ... Read more

Book Description

Beginning drawing and writing lessons for children ages five to ten. The Boxed Set includes Books 1 through 8 of the Draw Write Now series. The books are simple enough for a young child to do independently, but a teacher or parent may present the lessons. Each drawing lesson includes a colorful picture and step-by-step instructions, while the writing lesson includes four simple handwritten sentences. The teacher or parent may introduce letter formation, have the children copy the sentences for handwriting practice, or use the lessons as a springboard for creative writing or report writing. Developed by an elementary school teacher and co-authored by her daughter. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Can't Keep Them On the Shelves!
I am a teacher-librarian and I can't keep these drawing books on the shelves! I am always looking for drawing books and these are perfect for the primary and early elementary age group. The simple instructions and diagrams help the children to produce realistic drawings which are the starting point for a host of creative projects! I've noticed that the children are becoming more confident in their ability to draw and they are developing a LOVE of drawing. Tell me where to get more books like these!

Grab the colored pencils!
Colored pencils and a pad of paper are all your children (ages about 7-12) will need to get started making fun recognizable drawings. Simple line art - in a "draw this line" ... "now add this curve" format will guide your child to succesful illustrations for school projects or just for enjoyment.

The format for each drawing also includes a simple (grade 1 or 2) story in 2-3 sentences about the drawing (hence the "Write" part of the title) which your child can include in his final drawing.

But the best part is the grouped topics which provide lots of examples of items to draw within a given subject area (artic region, deserts, farm animals, pilgrims, etc.) 2nd-3rd graders and up can combine various components parts to build fairly elaborate scenarios, and all the items in the drawing will be recognizable (no more, "Mmm, Johnny. Very nice. Please tell me about THIS part of your picture") and so the satisfaction level on the part of the child is high.

This is not a comprehensive drawing curriculum. It probably isn't going to be helpful for an artistically gifted child, but us average joes who want to make a horse look like a horse and not a dog, it's a great tool and will provide many hours of drawing enjoyment for a child who likes to work independently.

This multi-volume set includes all the titles, but each title is also available separately. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Write Source 2000 is valuble resource that kids like to use.
I have taught English with Write Source 2000 in classes ranging from seventh to twelfth grade. Once students realize that this user-friendly reference can save them time and give them autonomy, they prefer it. It is easy to generate lesson plans to get students started on using the books. Introduce a topic, such as subject-verb agreement or sentence-combining, use examples from Write Source 2000, help students find evidence in their own work of the the problem, and let them see how well the book works to support editing. You don't need a classroom set. One book per three students is about right. Let them check their work in groups of three. When they get the hang of Write Source 2000, much of the burden of correction will be lifted from you, as the teacher, and will be carried by those to whom it belongs.

This Book Rocks!
The Write Source 2000 is a great resource to have by your side. My grades were really bad in writing when I started the school year. When I got the Write Source 2000 it taught me how to write any paragraph or essay. I also used it for other stuff besides writing. This book is very good resource.

An excellent book for school and for fun
This book has a wealth of knowledge about a variety of subjects. First of all, it's a great writing source back. It has lots of great tips and suggestions. There's a section on grammar, and it actually uses humor to make it more entertaining. The book is easy to read and the layout is very attractive. This book is useful for both kids and adults, and there's always something you can use in this book. There's a reference section also with lots of useful information.

Great Book for Teachers and Students!
If you've ever had a problem defining preposition, or needed a way to explain ellipses, then you should buy this book. I teach an English class for refugee children, and this book has proved an invaluable teaching tool. My kids find the explanations clear, while I grin when I see higher scores on my grammar quizs. And for a textbook, this is CHEAP!
I highly recomend this book. I myself used in in middle school, refered to it in high school, cleared up obscure grammar points with it in college, and now laud it as a teaching tool. You will not be sorry you purchased this book!

The Best Book Ever
I am a seventh grader. I am a reference-aholic. Just in the past few months, I have been trying to renew my reference library. I already have titles like:

1. The World Almanac of 2000, 2. A dictiony, 3. A geographical reference, and many more

A couple of my friends have Write Source 2000. They say its wouderful. Write Source is the type of book I'm looking for because I'm bad at writing. I do not yet have Write Source but I'm going to get it. I say everyone should have it. In my book, it needs five stars. Content in Write Source includes:

sentence structure, types of writing, thinking skills, the writing process, math, history, reading skills, study skills, spelling and vocabulary ... Read more

Reviews (1)

prentice hall grammar and compositon
I recently signed my son up for a out of school class called a "correspondece" course, and he seems to be having trouble in it. I was wondering if you guys could find the teachers edition with the answers in it because we all know I sure don't know them. Jk Anyways thanks. My email is playdoe70@netscape.net ... Read more

Book Description

Multiple Options for Achieving a Single Goal

With its combination of composition segments, grammar lessons, literature models, and hands-on practice exercises, Writer's Choice initiates, expands, and executes what it takes to make your students willing, proficient writers.

Book Description

Glencoe's exclusive Grammar and Composition Handbooks provide full coverage of the writing process with practice exercises for grammar, usage, and mechanics. Part 1, Ready Reference, includes a glossary of words, terms, and concepts vital to the student writer, as well as a usage glossary and lists of common abbreviations. Part 2, Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics, offers clear explanations, examples, and practice exercises. In Part 3, Composition, the writing process is covered, including modes of writing, business writing, and research paper writing emphasizing MLA style. Part 4, Resources, increases student access to and understanding of print and electronic resource tools. It includes detailed information on how to use the library, dictionaries and encyclopedias, and guidance on electronic research online and on CD-ROM. Glencoe's Grammar and Composition Handbooks are correlated to Writer's Choice and to the Glencoe Grammar and Language Workbooks! Each grade level specific handbook is accompanied by a helpful Teacher Guide that will give you the support to use the Glencoe Grammar and Composition Handbooks to their fullest potential!

Amazon.com

Are you hip to the zine scene? Whether your answer is "absolutely!""sort of," or "what's a zine?" everyone can learn from and be inspired by the funky, funny, fertile ideas set forth in Zine Scene. Written by Francesca Lia Block, author of the Weetzie Bat books (collected in Dangerous Angels), and Hillary Carlip, author of Girl Power: Young Women Speak Out, Zine Scene is both a tribute and a how-to guide to zines. Zines (as in magazines), are a righteous, radical form of creative self-expression. There are no hard-and-fast standards for zines, but they may contain one or more of the following: newsletters, journals, comic strips, artwork, photography, collage, poetry, and/or scrapbooks. The sky's the limit when it comes to production and length--from three pages of glossy paper to 30 pages of grainy photocopies. Block and Carlip teach by example, providing a plethora of reprints and excerpts from the tremendously diverse sea of zines. The range of zine creators, or "zinesters," is evident in the strong personalities that leap off the pages: the 21-year-old author of "Velvet Grass," who teaches her readers how to make arts and crafts (like duct tape shoes); "Flaming Jewboy," a 26-year-old drag queen whose manifesto includes "Thou Shalt Wear Heels"; the 17-year-old creator of "Private Catholic," who vents her feelings about private school; and 16-year-old Seth, master of several zines in which he discusses whatever he feels like--including his obsession with chicken fingers.

In addition to cheering on writing and art as a means of speaking out, Zine Scene also offers nitty-gritty details about copyrights, design, and distribution. But the emphatic, lasting message of this punky paean to self-publishing--and indeed the battle cry of zinesters themselves--is to be yourself, whatever that may be, with self-confidence, sass, and style.--Brangien Davis ... Read more

Reviews (21)

WOWOWOW TOTALLY F'ING AWESOME DUDE!!!!!!!@@@@@@@!!!!!!!!!
i thought this was the best book ever and it was so good and this is the only book i have ever read all the way through except for one of the babysitters club books but i forget which one because theres like a million of them and i never read anything because i never used to like reading books in sk00l because they were not about like who i am n stuff like that. but now i know about zines and they are so much better than regular magazines which are like oppressive and stuff like that and they just talk about makeup which is really stupid and not where the revolution is. zines are the revolution and grrrl power is tha bomb and francesca lia block is the best writer ever and i am going to name my zine after weetzie bat because nobodys ever done that before and i am a original.

this is AwEs0mE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

'Zine Scene makes the genre accessible and fun!
I am an author in the book so I am a bit biased but the project turned out SO well! The book encourages people of all genders, ages, and creeds to get creative and start writing! It presents the genre of 'Zines as something for everyone which should (hopefully) draw a lot of people to the art-form! Francesca and Hillary rock my world and they are incredibly good at giving delectable descriptions and step-by-steps! Go buy the book for yourself or anyone you know who loves to do their own thang!

The best book on zines out there, sereoiusly
This is my fave' book on zines ever!!! I absolutely adore this book. It's done in a format like a zine so it's not just a bunch of boring tips, it's got Photos and photocoyped picture it is the greatest. It also keeps the reader in mind, its not telling you to go out and spend $50.00 on some zine making device, it comes in mind that most zine makers are dirt poor, liek me. (sorry i'm not trying to be sterotypical)I had been plannign to write my own zine for a while but this really got me inspired. It also has a bunch of snippets from real zines that people write. That was probably my favorite part...

Fabulous! Inspiring!
I've published newsletters/zines for over 20 years, and this book open my eyes to so many new approaches. It's brilliant, inspiring, and liberating with so many "why not?" ideas. Whether you're a beginner with only the vaguest idea that maybe you'd like a zine, or a seasoned pro who wants to recover a fresh & innovative view of publishing/writing/zines/newsletters... well, this book is a MUST-read. Something for everyone, from fan to writer to publisher. There's not another book like this one!

it rocked my little world
this had to be one of the best books that i have read so far on 'zines. it includes great little snippets to inspire those of us who have been working with 'zines for years to even those who are just beginning. great how-to photos on what kind of format to put your 'zine in and a great variety of self-published articles and essays. it was just good fun to read! ... Read more

Book Description

I had a long list of things I wanted to find in a first grammar and composition text.

I wanted material that would concentrate on the writing process without burdening the young child. I wanted a text that would draw the child into writing. I wanted a text that would lay a foundation for good composition skills, skills that could be applied in all learning situations. With eleven children to care for, I wanted something simple and fun to work with, both for me and my children.

When I found this book, I knew I had found the book I wanted to use.

Originally published in 1900, it uses wonderful pictures to stimulate the child's imagination and lead him or her into writing. The grammar introduced includes those things necessary to the writing task. There are memorization assignments, oral compositions, written compositions and practice exercises.

I use this book for a second grade English text, but it is also very useful as a first course for older, reluctant writers. No teacher's edition is necessary; everything you need is in the student text. We hope you enjoy it as we have. -Cyndy Shearer ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Wow, what a book.
I agree with all the positive comments. The approach here is not a copy of other workbooks. There are stories to create, poems to read and memorize, and generally learn English in a lovely, thoughtful way, just as the author suggests in the title. I used it with my son who is nine. His handwriting was poor, and he hates writing of any sort. The unique little lessons in this book are so different that he never realized that we were doing "English". The book offers a holistic way of helping a child and I am glad to have purchased it.

This Is A Beautiful Book but...
It's not your normal text/workbook. You have to really be willing to take your time in order to get the most out of it. After several trials and errors, I can now appreciate why it works so well.

At first glance, I wanted to toss this for something more "structured" and "self-directed". I couldn't figure out how a child was supposed to learn anything by using this book. It is devoid of the normal jargon found in most workbooks. And what was up with the pictures? How can I ask my child to analyze a picture and call THAT a "grammar" lesson? What were they suppose to be learning from THAT? Weren't they suppose to be studying nouns and predicates and doing daily drills and such? But, alas, good things come to those who...slow down!

This book makes heavy use of narration (the child telling back a story in his/her own words), or "oral composition". If this is a foreign concept to you then delay this purchase and buy books by Dr. Ruth Beechick and/or anything about Charlotte Mason and her philosophy. You need to understand narration and why it works so effectively. If you are not sold on this approach, then don't buy this book. If you are familiar with the works of these two pioneers of "natural learning", and you feel comfortable with this approach, then this may be a great grammar/composition book to use with your 2nd - 4th Grader. Jessie Wise and Susan Bauer mention narration in _The Well Trained Mind_ , but they don't expound on it the way Beechick and Mason do.

The beauty of this book is in its simplicity. It causes a child to think deep and answer thoroughly; hence the title. This is not a book to rush through. Every page, every lesson is to be savored, and chewed thoroughly like a good meal. I realized this after changing my homeschool program into one that is more relaxed and focused on the joy of everyday learning. This book causes you to slow down and think. Think REAL hard. You may or may not want to put that much time into a grammar/composition program.

Having said that, I must say that I agree with some of the complaints mentioned here, but it took a second purchase (after selling my first copy) to force me to look at it more closely. I wouldn't exactly call this a self-directed, independent program. You have to like working closely with your child. You have to be willing to work slowly and thoughtfully. If that's not your style, then don't buy this book! Also, remember that some kids read better than they write. This book encompasses a lot of writing exercises, but they can be done orally.

My 8 year-old daughter and I loved working through this together. It was a struggle for me to slow down the pace and enjoy it, but I realized that she needed this time with me so I forced myself to stay cool and slow down. It was tough, but worth it. That relaxed pace has spilled over to other areas of our homeschool and I have found it really works well for us.

Hope that helps. Enjoy this one (if you can!)

Cris

My least favorite homeschooling book
As a previous reviewer mentioned, there are many specific science questions in this book for which you need to know the answers and will have to do some advance research. If you want to combine unorganized science topics with your grammar lessons, this book will be great for you. I already have another organized science program I am using, so I find this irritating. I would prefer a grammar program that would concentrate on the grammar/language aspects.

Two of the four poems that are to be memorized seem too lengthy to be appropriate material for a 7-year old. One is a 21-line poem, and another is a 24-line poem from Coleridge. We are already memorizing Bible verses each week, so I just skipped those.

The majority of the lessons in this book offer one exercise to practice the concept, so if your child has some difficulty with grammar, you will probably have to make your own worksheets to make sure they've learned the concept.

This is the only homeschooling book we've used this year that has been disappointing.

Be aware
I love this book, but I almost gave it 4 stars just to draw attention to my review. We have been using this book for only a week in our homeschool, but we have had to interrupt our grammar lessons several times to do research before we could practice the day's grammar lesson. One exercise told us to "Write a statement telling where the sun rises."--this required a little instruction about the rising/setting sun. Another day, we were to respond to these questions: "How often do we have a new moon?" and "Where have you seen the new moon at sunset?" I had no idea, so we ran to the encyclopedia. If this bothers you, just be aware that you may want to look ahead at lessons to see if you should "do a little research." Otherwise, I love this book!

An Essential Book for Your Library
I was refered to this book by "The Well Trained Mind". I am not homeschooling, but supplimenting. This book is a great overall start to teaching your child about the english language. It covers all areas incluing compostion, sentance structure, dictation and has a handy list of grammer rules. Is great for first to third grade or even could be adapted for kindergarten use. ... Read more

Book Description

Writing with a Purpose has always been distinguished by its emphasis on the role of purpose in the writing process, its comprehensive coverage for first-year writing, and its effective use of examples and exercises. Designed as a four-in-one (rhetoric, reader, research guide, handbook) for one- and two-semester composition courses, this respected and reliable text has helped train hundreds of thousands of students over the past three decades. The Fourteenth Edition retains the traditional strengths of the book, yet this classic has been revised and updated with a contemporary, full-color design to better engage visually oriented learners. Streamlined coverage has reduced or eliminated topics rarely taught in first-semester composition to allow for expanded material on such critical topics as research and argumentation. Available for fall 2003 courses, this edition is accompanied by a new technology program, Writing with a Purpose Online, that allows students to access writing guidance as needed while drafting and revising.

• New! Complete chapter on designing documents guides students in creating effective visual texts.
• New! Image Gallery at the end of each chapter engages students in responding to evocative groupings of visual images.
• New! Model student web projects provide opportunities for expanding on writing and research topics and guide students in evaluating and creating web-based resources.
• New! Four-color design, with photos, cartoons, advertisements, and annotated examples, demonstrates the importance of considering purpose when creating visual texts
• New! Argument coverage with added visual dimension offers stronger advice on critical thinking and analysis and guides students in using textual/visual formats and appeals to create effective arguments in various contexts and media
• New! Enhanced research coverage in each chapter, identified by icons and special boxes, emphasizes the importance of researching to good writing and includes new information on selecting, evaluating, and documenting sources, with special emphasis on online sources.
• New! Thirty percent new readings feature both professional and student selections
• New! Writing with a Purpose Online: Contact your local Houghton Mifflin Sales Representative or call 800-733-1717, ext. 4020, for details on this interactive program with activities, assignments, and online composing help for students drafting papers.

Reviews (1)

Putting it in Writing
This is a very comprehensive, step by step guide to practical writing for school-aged children. The author explains and demonstrates each step and further provides a rationale for some steps. There are also "helpful hints" and suggestions related to social tact. From a school psychologist's perspective, this book could serve as a basis for direct assessment and intervention in the area of written expression. With creative presentation, the book could also be used to instruct teens and adults who have functional-behavior needs. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Help for my children
I have 3 boys who dislike writing. It's frustrating to get them to think of ideas to write about even in their daily school journals. This book makes thinking of ideas fun and helps to know how to write them. I borrowed Writers Express from a friend after being told it was great. I then purchased Write Source 2000, as I was unsure of the age appropriateness. Write Source 2000 is great for 6th grade and above because it is less cartoon-like and has higher level information. Writers Express is perfect for 2nd grade and above. Much of the information is overlapping, but written age-appropriately.

Dave Kemper really knows how to make writing fun!!!!!!!
This book has had a strong impact on the way I write.My dream of being a professianel writer seems so close when I read about the process of writing in this book. I really think this is a wonderful book to have, all through your life!

This book is a must for elementary school students.
I am a fourth grade teacher in California. I first saw this book about 5 years ago and bought a few copies for my class to use. I was amazed at how it fascinated the students even though it was a writer's handbook. It was in constant demand during our daily sustained silent reading time. The book is colorful and inviting and contains a wealth of information besides just general writing how to's. It has maps, presidential timelines, helpful math tables, and much more. It is colorfully organized and coded for easy reference and written to appeal to kids and motivate them to write. I showed this book to my principal and other teachers and they were all so impressed that the decision was made to order the books for all of our upper grade classes 4 through 6. The Write Source books have become one of the key components of our language program. I would highly recommend this book to all parents and students. It is a resource that is as valuable as the dictionary or encyclopedia that you offer your child at home to support his/her education.

Middle School Daughter Wanted As Reference
It's not often that a middle schooler wants to buy a reference book. When our daughter saw her younger brother's book it reminded her of its value when she was in his grade. Not only did she request that we buy the book, she requested a hard cover copy because the soft cover had worn significantly on her school copy. She wants to be able to use it for some time to come.

Everything you need to know about grammer from 8-108
This is a great resource book for anyone teaching their child at home or for those of us who don't know all our grammar rules. It has tons of valuable information presented in an easy to read and understand format. I ordered one after I got a look at my son's from school. ... Read more

Book Description

You have to write! It's a class assignment. But you have nothing to write about. All the other kids seem to have something to tell because they start in right away. What can you do? Stop and think. No one else can tell your stories -- about your family, your dog or cat. No one else can tell how it was when your library book got soaked in the rain.

But what if you don't like what you write? There are all sorts of ways to change it, to make it better. Keep on playing with your words, putting them together in different ways. You want whatever you write to be good. It will get better and better as you work on it.

This is an encouraging book, sympathetically illustrated by Teresa Flavin's charming pictures, for all young readers who worry when they're told to write something. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A must have for classrooms
I used this book in a 3rd grade classroom where I am student teaching. The students hate to write, but they loved this book. They realized that they really do have a lot to write about. We brainstormed a list of possible writing ideas for the days when they are stuck. They love to get out their list and pick something to write about. This book is a must have for any classroom!!!!!! ... Read more