Grammar for Writing: Level Blue — Chapter 6

A Literacy Week Special Event: Meet the Authors Carter B. Horsley, "The City Review" Rose Main Reading Room, New York Public Library Imagine that your community's public library is about to mark its annual Literacy Week with all sorts of events and activities. Among the events planned are visits by three well-known authors. First, choose one of your favorite writers. Perhaps he or she is an author writing today; or perhaps your favorite author wrote the books you love long ago. This author will be a speaker at the library's Literacy Week celebration. Write a brief biography, including awards and honors received, to use in introducing the author to the audience. You will also interview this author for your school literary magazine. Write three questions you would like the author to answer. STEP 1: Initial Search Use search engines or go to other sites, such as Biography.com, to search by name for information on your author. Look for biographical information, lists of his or her stories or poems, and reviews of the author?s work. Take detailed notes—you'll need the information for your introduction and interview. Three Web sites to try are: Yahoo! Alta Vista Biography STEP 2: Expanded Search Explore library resources—current magazine or newspaper articles, as well as biographies—in order to ask informed questions of your author. STEP 3: Organize Your Facts Organize your information for the biographical sketch. (For valuable tips on organizing your facts, see Grammar for Writing, Level Blue, pages 32-33.) STEP 4: Write Your Draft Write a draft of your biographical sketch and the questions you will ask your author. Then exchange drafts with writing partners. Choose the correct verb to go with the subject of each sentence. For example, if you use a compound subject joined by and, use a plural verb: Lucy, Rob, and Angel are volunteers in the literacy program. (See Grammar for Writing, Level Blue, pages 38 and 183.) To make your writing lively and smooth, vary your sentences. Use compound sentences to explain a complicated point; use short sentences to vary the rhythm of your paragraphs. STEP 5: Revise, Edit, and Proofread Your Work Incorporate any writing partner suggestions you think will improve your work. Correct sentence fragments and run-on sentences, and eliminate wordiness. Write your final draft and proofread for errors in grammar and usage, typos, and misspellings. STEP 6: Publish Your Work Create a "Literacy Wall" in your classroom or school library. Display your biographies and interview questions on the wall. Photographs of the authors and copies of their books can be displayed on a table. Copyright ©2007 by William H. Sadlier, Inc. All rights reserved.