Published by American Girl Publishing
No part of this book may be used or reproduced
in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the
case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Editorial Development: Darcie Johnston
Art Direction & Design: Wendy Walsh
Production: Jeannette Bailey, Caryl Boyer, Virginia Gunderson, Cynthia Stiles
Illustrations: Stacy Peterson
Special thanks to Tanya Zempel, elementary education consultant
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Henke, Emma MacLaren, author. | Peterson, Stacy.
Title: School rules! Writing : ideas, how-to’s, and tips to make you a whiz with words /
by Emma MacLaren Henke ; illustrated by Stacy Peterson.
Description: Middleton, WI : American Girl Publishing, [2017] |
Series: School rules! | Audience: 8+
Identifiers: LCCN 2016025283 (print) | LCCN 2016032717 (ebook) |
ISBN 9781683370000 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781683370031 (ebook) | ISBN 9781683370031 (epub)
Subjects: LCSH: Language arts (Secondary) | Language arts (Secondary)—Problems,
exercises, etc. | Language and languages—Study and teaching (Secondary)—
Problems, exercises, etc. | Second language acquisition. | BISAC: JUVENILE NONFICTION
/ Language Arts / General. | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Language Arts / Composition &
Creative Writing. | JUVENILE NONFICTION / School & Education.
Classification: LCC LB1631 .H36 2017 (print) | LCC LB1631 (ebook) | DDC 428.4071/2--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016025283
© 2017 American Girl. All rights reserved. Todos los derechos reservados. Tous droits réservés. All American Girl marks are
trademarks of American Girl. Marcas registradas utilizadas bajo licencia. American Girl ainsi que les marques et designs y afférents
appartiennent à American Girl. Retain this address for future reference: American Girl, 8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, WI 53562,
U.S.A.
Dear Reader,
Writing is one of your top tools for school. You put a
lot of effort into your studies, and writing lets you show
what you know. It lets you shine!
The advice and activities in this book will help you hone the
writing skills you need for any kind of assignment, in any
subject. You’ll find tips on how to generate ideas and plan
your writing as well as guidelines for stories, reports, essays,
poems, and more. You may even get inspired to write on
your own!
Writing is like a superpower. When you write, you can make
anything happen. You can choose words and the ideas
you’re communicating with them. Your voice can be funny
or passionate, angry or joyous. Your writing can teach,
persuade, or inspire. Your words can change hearts and
minds. Your words might even change the world.
The power is all yours.
Your friends at American Girl
Contents
Perfect your process for a smooth start to any writing assignment.
Put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and let the words flow!
How you say it is as important as what you say.
Get inspired for fiction, poetry, memoirs, and more.
Plan and polish nonfiction and informational writing.
When you’re done, you’ve just begun.
Host your own writer’s workshop.
get Ready
to write
Perfect your process for a smooth start
to any writing assignment.
where do ideas
come from?
What inspires you and sets your mind in motion?
when you’re writing a short story?
a. thinking about the highlights of your favorite fantasy book series
b. remembering how you solved your last fight with your best friend
c. wondering what would happen if you could read people’s minds
when you’re writing about current events?
a. talking about the news with your dad and mom
b. skimming the headlines on a news website