This activity combines the writing of several students and encourages careful reading as well as the use of transitions. It can also be used to teach more sophisticated writers an awareness of style and tone.
Strategies/Skills Used
Writing Skill 4: I write so my thoughts flow smoothly and are easy to read.
Writing Skill 6: I choose the tone and point of view that suit my writing purpose.
Writing Skill 8: I re-read, reflect, revise and edit.
(1) Assign a writing activity. It may be a story, a journal entry, a newspaper article or another narrative task appropriate to the writing focus of the class.
(2) Give each student a set amount of time to write the beginning sentence of the story or assigned task (e.g. “Write the beginning sentence/paragraph in one minute”).
(3) Instruct students to pass their papers on to the next student in the row/group after a given time. The student must read what has been written with attention to the content and style of the piece. They are not to edit or revise what has been written; they are just to read it carefully.
(4) Have the second student continue the piece of writing (e.g. “Write the second sentence/paragraph in three minutes”). Remind students to maintain the tone of the piece and stay on topic.
(5) Continue the process with the third writer, who writes the ending or concluding paragraph. If you wish, you may use more than three writers to suit your assignment.
(6) Return the paper to the student who wrote the first paragraph, and have them revise the writing and correct mechanical errors. This may also be done as a group, with all of the students who contributed to the piece, or with another student or group of students.
Primary
Intermediate
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