style="font-size:15px;"> between the main ideas. Use just enough words to understand each idea.You don’t need to write in neat, complete sentences!
Under each numbered main idea, add points that support it, in the order
that makes the most sense. Put a letter in front of each. If any of
those points have supporting points, write them under
their lettered point.
How I Learned to Canoe
1. new at summer camp
a. my first time there, but others had been before
b. made friends in my cabin
c. my friends wanted to canoe, but I’d never done it
2. canoe lessons
a. learned different strokes
b. most important rule: don’t stand up
c. but I did stand, and I fell!
—sooo embarrassed
—determined to learn
3. canoe success!!!
a. kept practicing every day
b. last day, canoe trip to Eagle Island
with friends
—super fun!
—proud of myself :)
Pencil
Point
All writing tells a story.
Outlining helps you
figure out the story
you’re going to tell. You
think about which ideas
are more important
than others, and you
choose which ones
come first, second, and
third, all the way to the
end. Remember those
two big questions?
What is the main idea
I want my writing to
share? and What’s my
purpose for writing, the
job I want my writing
to do? Outlining helps
you answer them. It also
helps you feel ready and
maybe even excited to
tell your story. Let the
writing begin!
Craft Your
Draft
Put pen to paper
or fingers to keyboard
and let the words flow!
Where Can
You Write Right?
Find your best setting for getting down to work.
You keep your desk at home . . .
full of photos, knickknacks, and
desk toys you can fidget with.
completely clutter free. When you
sit down to work, you set out the
exact materials you’ll need.
in front of your bedroom window.
You love to look at the beautiful
trees, birds, and sunsets.
You’d do your best on
a test . . .
at a private study table in the
silence of the school library.
surrounded by your class-
mates, whom you could see
working hard.
if you knew you could ask
questions and get up to
stretch for a break.
When you have an online homework
assignment, you’re likely to . . .
keep your e-mail open so you can get
help from friends as you work.
be distracted clicking on the hilarious
kitten videos your sister told you about.
visit only your class website and the pages
you use to find the information you need.
Pencil
Point
Writing takes inspiration
and concentration. Find
a spot that has the right
mix for you!
When you study, you listen to . . .
your favorite music in the background.
The beat keeps your mind moving and
makes study time speed by.
the sounds of your home, such
as your brother chatting on the
phone while your
