Writing Tools and Resources
There are many great tools for students to use while writing. My favorites are listed below, along with ways to use them.
If you're looking for writing prompts, try the Writing Prompts page.
For ways to make writing authentic for students, try the Authentic Writing page.
If you're looking for writing prompts, try the Writing Prompts page.
For ways to make writing authentic for students, try the Authentic Writing page.
Wordle uses Java to create a word-cloud of all the text a student types.
Students can alter the pattern and the color. The larger a word, the more times it's been used. How can you use it in writing?
For some great other ideas on using Wordle, visit this slide show by Tom Barrett.
Another word cloud site is ABCya Word Cloud Generator, which works in the same manner as Wordle.
- Students can copy and paste their rough draft text into Wordle to see which words are overused. Wordle gives a great visual of words students tend to use too often. Using their image, students revise for word choice. My students like to use their revised draft in Wordle again to compare the differences.
- Students can also use Wordle for brainstorming. When writing about specific characteristics, my students ranked them. Using Wordle, they typed the most important characteristic ten times, the next nine times, and so on. They were rewarded with a great visual to present with their writing.
For some great other ideas on using Wordle, visit this slide show by Tom Barrett.
Another word cloud site is ABCya Word Cloud Generator, which works in the same manner as Wordle.
For students that prefer a numerical analysis, try Wordcounter. Students can paste in text and see which words are used in a simple word frequency chart. It's useful for checking overused words in a numerical manner.
Audacity is another great writing tool. It's a free download that students can use to record audio, mix music, and create webcasts. How do I use it in writing? Students always need work on sentence fluency. If their writing is short and choppy, they often don't know it. The opposite is also true. If students' writing contains run-ons with no room to breathe, they need help. Having students record their writing on Audacity allows them to hear the mistakes in sentence fluency. Using microphones/headphones, they can record their writing and play it back.
Bubbl.us can be used to brainstorm or organize writing.
Students can create bubble maps (mind maps or idea maps) to organize thinking before writing. Students click to add a bubble, enter text, and can connect it to other bubbles. Users can also change the color and can manipulate the bubbles.
You could assign students a topic and let them free-associate to create an idea, or brainstorm for paragraphs in an essay. The downside to this program is that students must sign up to use it. The free account allows users to create and save three bubble maps at a time. If you need more than three, delete old ones to free up space. Individual pages, called "sheets" can also be shared. This allows for collaboration, or for easy grading of assignments.
You could assign students a topic and let them free-associate to create an idea, or brainstorm for paragraphs in an essay. The downside to this program is that students must sign up to use it. The free account allows users to create and save three bubble maps at a time. If you need more than three, delete old ones to free up space. Individual pages, called "sheets" can also be shared. This allows for collaboration, or for easy grading of assignments.
An alternative to Bubbl.us is ReadWriteThink's webbing tool, shown at right. Students can choose the style of web they want to create. The directions are easy to follow and it's free to use. Students cannot save their web, but they can print them.
Hemingway App
Hemingway App is a web-based tool that allows students to check their papers for common writing errors. It highlights words and sentences in various colors to indicate possible grammatical errors. The screenshot shown below explains the meaning behind each color.
Hemingway App is a web-based tool that allows students to check their papers for common writing errors. It highlights words and sentences in various colors to indicate possible grammatical errors. The screenshot shown below explains the meaning behind each color.
By hovering the mouse over a green or purple highlighted phrase, the site will offer suggestions to help students make changes. Hemingway App also offers a readability scale. The sample above tests out at a 7th grade readability. To use the site, simply click "write," delete the text that's already present, and paste in your new text.
While this site is basic, it's good for upper elementary or middle school students to check their writing. For high school students, or for a more detailed analysis, consider PaperRater (see below).
While this site is basic, it's good for upper elementary or middle school students to check their writing. For high school students, or for a more detailed analysis, consider PaperRater (see below).
PaperRater.com
is a free website that high school/secondary students can use to check their own papers before submitting them to you. PaperRater will check spelling, word choice, grammar, style, and vocabulary. It can also check for plagiarism. Students can simply copy and paste their paper into the program. While it is free, the terms of use state that users must be "of legal age to form a binding contract." Because of that, its use is limited to older students or teachers.
StoryToolz
StoryToolz has several writing tools for students. The site hosts a story idea generator, word count and readability tools, and a cliche buster, which checks writing for common cliches.
StoryToolz has several writing tools for students. The site hosts a story idea generator, word count and readability tools, and a cliche buster, which checks writing for common cliches.
Compare & Contrast Map
ReadWriteThink has some fantastic interactives for students, including many for writing. Their compare & contrast map is no exception. It briefly explains three different ways to organize a compare/contrast essay and then lets students choose the way they want to use.
Once students have chosen an organizing pattern, the interactive guides students through setting up basic paragraphs, beginning with an introduction and ending with a conclusion. When finished, students can save, print, or share their organizer (see below).
ReadWriteThink has some fantastic interactives for students, including many for writing. Their compare & contrast map is no exception. It briefly explains three different ways to organize a compare/contrast essay and then lets students choose the way they want to use.
Once students have chosen an organizing pattern, the interactive guides students through setting up basic paragraphs, beginning with an introduction and ending with a conclusion. When finished, students can save, print, or share their organizer (see below).
Students could use this interactive to plan an essay, or to write the entire essay and print it out.
This site is good to use when beginning a compare/contrast essay. Elementary students could use the site to type in their entire essay. Older students could use it as a planning tool to create a longer piece of writing.
This site is good to use when beginning a compare/contrast essay. Elementary students could use the site to type in their entire essay. Older students could use it as a planning tool to create a longer piece of writing.
Crocodocs is a great website where students can upload papers.
Crocodocs turns their paper into a website, and provides a URL and an embed code for each paper. Students can then allow others to comment, edit, and draw on the paper.
You can view and comment on my 8th grade syllabus below.
You can view and comment on my 8th grade syllabus below.
Other useful sites
- Staple-less book: Students can use this interactive from ReadWriteThink to write a very short book, organize notes, or brainstorm.
- One Word: students are given a one-word prompt to write whatever comes to mind in 60 seconds. This tool is good for building fluency or brainstorming. Quite often, students even enjoy it!
- Letter Generator: Students can use this interactive from ReadWriteThink to learn the parts of a letter and write one. This is most appropriate for elementary students.
- Pinball - a brainstorming tool from BBC for students stuck for a writing topic
- Writing Fix - includes some interactives for students to use, as well as teacher resources for all things writing
- Persuasive writing map - Students can use this interactive from ReadWriteThink to plan a persuasive essay