Writing Glossary

	brainstorming	Listing all of the possible ideas that you can write about. This can be done individually or as a group. The first step in the Writing Process.
	draft	A first copy of your writing. An unedited piece of writing. The second step of the writing process.
	editing	Preparing a written piece for final copy by checking it over and correcting all mistakes. (It's OK to ask for help.) The fourth step of the Writing Process.
	elaborating	Adding details to your written work to support an idea. Giving examples to make your ideas very clear.
	fluency	The smooth, easy flow of your ideas that makes it easier for the reader to read and understand your writing.
	graphic organizer	A chart or graphic that helps you organize and record your thoughts about your topic or idea. Graphic Organizers.
	paragraph	A group of sentences written to tell about a central (main) idea. A 2nd grader's paragraph should have 3 to 5 sentences (minimum) and; - be about one topic - have a topic sentence - use complete sentences (thoughts) to write about topic - have the first sentence indented on the page
	pre-writing	Organizing your ideas and planning your writing. May be in the form of a story map, web, or a list. Primary students may use pictures. One of the first steps of the Writing Process.
	proofreading	Proofreading is when you read your written piece over again, to make sure you have correct punctuation marks, capital letters, spelling, and grammar.
	publishing	Publishing your work is writing a final copy that is ready to share with other people. Your published piece should be in your neatest handwriting or printed on the computer. The final step of the Writing Process.
	revising	Revising is reading through your piece of writing to make it better. Ideas and words can be added or left out to make your writing clearer. The third step of the Writing Process.
	rubric	A scoring guide for grading your writing.
	sentence	A group of words that tell a complete thought or idea.
	story starter	A beginning for a story. It could be in the form of: a question, an exciting word, or a topic sentence.
	summary	A short paragraph or two that tells what a selection is about. A summary does not include details from the story.
	story map	A chart for organizing your writing. It includes the characters, setting, problem and solution.
	topic sentence	A sentence that tells the main idea of your paragraph.
	Venn diagram	A chart with intersecting circles used to compare and contrast characters, stories, plots, etc. May be used to show the differences and similarities between two characters, things, or books.
	web	A chart with a central idea (topic) and related ideas branching from it. A way of organizing your ideas. (looks like a spider web)