1. Fifth Graders Checklist To
Writing Success

2. 1. When you get your prompt, begin writing right away… brainstorming is overrated!

3. 2. Always begin with a great hook like…
Hi, my name is…
Let me tell you about the time that…
This is a story about…

4. 3. Paragraphs…
who needs them?

5. 4. Remember to add extra words like “very” and “really” to make your writing longer!

6. 5. “Show Don’t Tell”,
what is wrong with telling something?

7. 6. Use all time favorite words like: said, mad, big, and bad.

8. 7. To save space, make your sentences as short as possible and to avoid confusion, begin every sentence with the same pattern!

9. 8. Don’t forget to have a great ending like…
“The End”…
To be continued…
It was all a dream…

10. 9. Stick with easy transition words to use like: then, and then, and then!

11. 10. Do not worry about looking back at your paper for revisions or conventions; the first time draft is just as good as others!

12. easy steps and you are guaranteed to succeed!
Follow these
easy steps and you are guaranteed to succeed!

13. 1. Read your prompt carefully and always brainstorm before you begin writing.
WOW Line!
POW Line!
HOW Line!

14. 2. Remember to “hook” your readers with a pop-up question:
Dialogue
Small movement
Startling fact
Thought or feeling

15. 3. Arrange your writing in a manner in which ideas are arranged in a clear order and consistent with the genre.
PARAGRAPHS!!!

16. 4. Add excitement to your writing by using vivid words that will add rich details! Avoid DEAD words!

17. 5. “Show” your readers your story---create images in their minds!
Figurative language
Dialogue
Appealing to senses
Showing what characters are feeling or thinking

18. 6. Use sentences that are clear and make sense...
Cut the “deadwood”
Use a variety of sentences
Mixture of complex and simple sentences

19. 7. Experiment with your ending
7. Experiment with your ending. Have at least three sentences in your closing paragraph.
Circular ending
Emotional ending
Surprise ending

20. 8. Use a variety of transition words to make your writing flow smoother!

21. 9. Always check for spelling, end punctuation, internal punctuation, capitalization, and grammar.
CONVENTIONS!!!

22. 10. Don’t fret! Our teachers have worked hard on preparing us so we will all SUCCEED!