Organization
5 Paper - Clear and Compelling Direction
I've chosen an order that works well and makes the reader want to find out what's coming next.
- My beginning gets the reader's attention and gives clues about what is coming.
- Every detail adds a little more to the main idea or story.
- All my details are in the right place; everything fits like a puzzle.
- I ended at a good spot and didn't drag on too long. I left my reader with something to think about.
3 Paper - Some Really Smooth Parts, Others Need Work
The order of my story/paper makes sense most of the time.
- I have a beginning, but it really doesn't grab you or give clues about what is coming.
- Sometimes it is not clear how the details I have used connect to the main idea or story.
- Some of my details are in the right spot, but some should come earlier or later.
- I've lingered too long in some places, and sped through others.
- I have a conclusion, it just isn't the way I want it yet. I may have gone on too long, or just tried to sum up in a ho-hum way.
1 Paper - Not Shaped Yet
The order in my paper is jumbled and confused. I'm feeling dizzy!
- There isn't really a beginning or ending to my paper. It just kind of "takes off..."
- I'm confused about how the details fit with the main idea or story.
- My ideas seem scrambled, jumbled, and disconnected. It's confusing.
- Conclusion? Oops, I forgot.
From The Student Friendly Guide to Writing with Traits by Vicki Spandel and Ruth Culham (503) 275-9500.