Informational Writing Helper: Time for Kids

We've been told that expository and informational writing are the bigger foci in standardized tests these days. Doug Reeves, as told by Kathy Gilbert, has noted that non-fiction writing is one of the common threads of students who academic success.

With that in mind, I wanted to share with you a non-fiction writing guide from Time For Kids. Non-fiction writing genres include:

• Compare and Contrast
• News Story
• Biography
• Persuasive Essay
• Personal Narrative
• How-to Articles
• Research Papers

Time For Kids provides step by step guides, model papers, and graphic organizers for your students. The model papers include notations on the margins of the piece. The notations draw attention to the elements of a solid non-fiction piece. The guides even have a downloadable checklist that students can use to reflect on their writing.

With a little more investigation of the website, you'll notice a link for Tips from Experts, and a Writer's Toolbox. Tips from Experts features how to write a great introductions, conclusions, and more. The Writer's Toolbox includes a thesaurus and dictionary among other things.

Give it a look, I think you'll like it.