What Kid Writers Say

WRITING ADVICE FROM 4^TH GRADERS

Fourth graders in Florida take a state-wide writing assessment each year. It’s a stressful experience, and can take the joy and creativity out of writing if you’re not careful.

At the end of the school, I invited 4^th graders at my school to come to my room for a cupcake celebration to acknowledge their hard work and accomplishments. I asked them to write bits of advice for next year’s 4^th graders who will be preparing for the same assessment. Their responses were funny, helpful, and inspiring. I thought you might also benefit from the words of wisdom these young writers have to offer. Enjoy!

Choose a good topic because that will affect your writing.

—Sebastian M.

Practice writing at home on your own with all your writing crafts. Try your best and never give up. Learn from your mistakes.

—Mateo E.

Think positive.

—Mohammed

Never stop trying.

—Joudel M.

Always believe that you can do it.

—David R.

Just write.

—Neko H.

You will do terrific if you stay focused with that topic.

—Brielle

For a finishing touch, have an awesome ending.

—Sofia

Concentrate. Don’t be afraid. Plan and write the best you can.

—Mohammed

Use your best ideas and all your writing crafts.

—Anthony H.

Try to explain and elaborate your story.

—Tikkia L.

Try to show all your reading experiences in your writing.

—Ellah A.

Think positive—don’t let bad thoughts get in the way!

—Sarah R.

My advice to you is to take all the space you need to elaborate.

—Emma D.

Be the best writer you can be.

—Dyonna

To be a successful writer you must always keep trying to make your stories better.

—Corbin H.

Write just like you talk. It makes it easy.

—Sofia

Try to relate the story to your life or real life situations.

—Ellah A.

Reread and make it better.

—Mohammed

Never let anything back you down.

—Dyonna

Be creative with the topic you choose.

—Brielle

Remember—you’re awesome!

—Mateo E.

Never give up!!!!!

—Moises D.

Stay focused, write all you can, and save time to edit and revise.

—Mackenzie R.

To be a good writer is to believe in yourself and practice writing.

—Jason

Try your best. Never give up. Put effort into it.

—Brian

Always have a plan.

—Colby

Believe in yourself.

—Dyonna

Give details. Be very specific. Make your reader want to read more.

—Victoria G.

Use an anecdote if you wish to tell a reader a memory about your topic.

—Kai

When you are writing a story, make sure you plan and don’t get off task.

—Ben

To be a successful writer is to believe in yourself. If you believe, then you will be great.

—Rodney. B.

Whatever is in your head, write about it.

—Sofia

Elaborate! Elaborate! Elaborate

—Amy U.

If you have a good idea—use it!

—Dominic

Take your time and go back and reread your writing.

—Elayne L.

Stretch it as far as you can.

—Unknown

Use attributes to add specific details.

—Simeon

Don’t stop working!

—Mateo E.

My advice is to use all of your tools and organize all of your writing.

—Mackenzie R.

Never rush.

—Brielle

Express yourself in your writing by using vivid verbs.

—Sofia

Use lots and lots of vivid verbs, but not so much that the reader goes nuts.

—Nate

When writing a story, don’t forget the characters.

—Asia N.

Know the end!

—Mohammed

Use every writing craft that comes to your mind.

—Brielle

Remember: You WILL do great.

—Helen

Make your story beautiful.

—Alyssa J.

Use vivid verbs in your story to make it exciting.

—Elayne L.

Have a positive attitude and your writing will be positive.

—Dyonna

Imagine your dreams coming true.

—Nakeia

Don’t just say my dog ran around, say my dog skedaddled around. Use

stronger words to make your story stronger.

—Alyssa J.

Let your mind think. Then plan what you are going to do.

—Victoria G.

The thing that makes me successful is using all my crafts and hoping for the best.

—Donte

C’mon, put some EFFORT into that story!

—Helen

Get specific.

—Javoris

Always try, try, try.

—Gabriel R.

Remember: Grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

—Victoria G.

Imagine that story inside you.

—Elayne L.

If you have an idea, plan it, write it, dream it!

—Alyssa J.

Think of yourself as one of the characters. Then think what you would do or say!

—Helen

Remember to indent and use appropriate vocabulary.

—Malik

Focus on one thing and never give nonsense information.

—Colby

Think that you are in the moment of the story.

—Unknown

Be confident. Believe in yourself.

—Alex

Write as much as you can. More story = better story.

—Sarah R.

Trust me, you’ll do great!

—Helen