Adding Variety to Students’ Writing

Spice Up Their Writing- Easily!

Believe it or not, there is a simple way to add some spice to your students’ papers.  With a bit of variety and details, even the most basic paper can come to life.  Teach these techniques prior to planning and writing papers or as you proofread a paper together.

Stop the “then, then, then” train:
The first transition word students tend to add to their papers is “then”.  But when each paragraph is so weighted down with “then”, it gets to be a drag.  So, give them some substitutes, such as…

• After that
• Next
• Following that

By simply using these words instead of “then”, the paper will instantly have some variety and interest.

Details:
Have students add words, phrases, or sentences that answer the following questions…

• Who?
• What?
• Where?
• When?
• Why?
• How?  How many?  For how long?

For example, if the student wrote, “We went to New York.”  Have him answer these questions to expand on the first, basic sentence.

• Who did you go with?  Who did you go see?
• What did you do there?  What did you see?  What did you eat?
• Where in New York did you go?  Where did you stay?
• When did you go?
• Why did you go there?
• How did you get there?  How long did you stay?

With so many details, the reader will get a much clearer picture of what the writer is trying to express.  What a difference some details can make!