• Writing a Paper

     

    Executive Skills Needed: 1. Task Initiation, 2. Sustained attention, 3. Planning, 4. Time management, 5. Metacognition, and Organization.

    Steps to take:

    1. Brainstorm Topics: Make sure you understand the exact assignment requirements before beginning.  The rules of brainstorming are that any idea is accepted and written down-the wilder and crazier, the better. No criticism by either parent or child is allowed at this point. If your child has trouble thinking of ideas on his/her own, throw out some ideas of your own to “grease the wheels.” Once you and your child run out of topic ideas, circle the most promising ones. Your child may know right away what he/she wants to write about. If not, talk about what he/she likes and dislikes about each idea to make it easier to zero in on a good choice.
    2. Brainstorm Contents: Once a topic has been selected, the brainstorming process begins again. Ask your child, “Tell me everything you know or would like to know about this topic.” Write down any idea or question, the crazier the better at this point.
    3. Organize the Content: Now look at all the ideas or questions you have written down. Together with your child, decide if the material can be grouped together in any way. Then, create topic headings and write the details under each topic heading. Some parents find it helpful to use Post-its for this process. Each individual idea or question is written on a separate Post-It. The post-Its can be organized on a table under topic headings to form an outline of the paper. The paper can be written (or dictated) from this outline.
    4. Write the Opening Paragraph: Often this is the hardest part of the paper to write. The opening paragraph, at is most basic level, describes very briefly what the paper will be about and should ”grab the reader’s attention” with an interesting piece of information to create curiosity. You may ask, “What do you want people to know after they read your paper?” or “Why do you think people might be interested in reading this?” If they need more help you may give them a model to work from. You could write an opening paragraph on a similar topic.
    5. Write the Rest of the Paper: To give your child just a little more guidance, suggest that the rest of the paper be divided into sections with a heading for each section. Help him/her make a list of the headings and then see if he/she can continue alone. Each paragraph should begin with a main or topic sentence that makes one main point. This sentence is then followed by three to five sentences that expand or explain the main point. It is also helpful to use connecting words to link sentences or paragraphs. Examples of simple linking words are and, because, also, instead, but, and so. Examples of more complex linking words are although, moreover, on the other hand, therefore, as a result, finally, and in conclusion.

    Modifications/Adjustments:   In the early stages of learning to write, children with writing problems need a great deal of help. You may feel like you are writing half the paper in the early stages. It should get better with time, especially if you end each writing session by giving your child some positive feedback about something done well. Note in particular any improvement since the last writing assignment. You might say, “I really like the way you were able to come up with the headings on your own this time, with no help from me.” If you don’t see progress over time, or if you feel you lack the time or skill, talk with your child’s teacher to see if additional support can be provided by the school.

     

    Dawson, P., & Guare, R. (2009). Smart but Scattered. New York: The Guilford  Press. P. 158-160.

    WRITING TEMPLATE FOR A FIVE-PARAGRAPH ESSAY

     

    Introductory paragraph:

    Sentence 1:  Summarizes what your essay is about-

    Sentence 2:  Focuses in on the main point you want to make-

    Sentence 3:  Adds more detail or explains why the topic is important-

     

    Body paragraphs:

    Paragraph 1: Topic sentence

    Supporting detail 1:

    Supporting detail 2:

    Supporting detail 3:

     

    Paragraph 2: Topic sentence

    Supporting detail 1:

    Supporting detail 2:

    Supporting detail 3:

     

    Paragraph 3: Topic sentence

    Supporting detail 1:

    Supporting detail 2:

    Supporting detail 3:

     

    Concluding paragraph:

    1. Restate the most important point from the paper you want to make.

     

    1. This is what the reader should go away understanding.

     

     

    From Smart but Scattered by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare.  Copyright 2009 by The Guilford Press. P. 161.