Writing for Understanding: Strategies to Increase Content Learning

Introduction: How Can I Teach Writing If I'm Not a Writing Teacher?1. How Writing Increases Understanding Debunking Myths and Misconceptions Alternatives to Bloom Five Research-Based "Truths" About Writing Developing Effective Writing Questions and Prompts Daily Writing Some Thoughts on Taking Notes2. Developing Narrative Writing Assignments What Is Narrative Writing? Types of Narrative Writing Using Narrative Writing Class Dialogue Using Narrative Writing to Build Content Vocabulary Sample Narrataive Writing Questions and Prompts3. Developing Descriptive Writing Assignments What Is Descriptive Writing? Using Descriptive Writing Sensory Details Describing Processes Class Dialogue Translating Mathematics Giving Directions Sample Descriptive Writing Questions and Prompts4. Developing Expository Writing Assignments What Is Expository Writing? Using Expository Writing Class Dialogue Writing Prompts That Require Cause-and-Effect Reasoning Sample Expository Writing Questions and Prompts5. Developing Persuasive Writing Assignments What Is Persuasive Writing? Using Persuasive Writing Class Dialogue Persuasion and the Basics of Logic Sample Persuasive Writing Questions and Prompts6. Developing Argumentative Writing Assignments What Is Argumentative Writing? Using Argumentative Writing Class Dialogue Follow-Up Sharing and Discussion Sample Argumentative Writing Questions and Prompts7. Using Dialogues About Writing to Build Meaning A Basis in Socratic Questioning Developing and Using Class Dialogues Developing and Using Student Dialogues Making and Using Rubrics8. Internet-Writing Connections and Resources Using E-Speak to Encourage Writing Online Resources Can Help Students and Teachers Websites for Students Websites for Teachers9. Frequently Asked Questions About Writing Language Alive Usage Punctuation10. Print Resources Books DocumentsReferencesIndex

Donovan R. Walling is a writer, editor, educator, and consultant. He serves as a senior consultant for the Center for Civic Education. He has taught art, English, and journalism in the United States and abroad and has worked as a curriculum administrator in public school districts in Wisconsin and Indiana. From 1993 until 2006 he was director of publications for the education association Phi Delta Kappa International.

Walling is the author or editor of more than a dozen professional books for educators and numerous articles and other publications. He is nationally recognized in the field of art education, where some of his publications include Under Construction: The Role of the Arts and Humanities in Postmodern Schooling (Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation, 1997); the Corwin Press books, Rethinking How Art Is Taught: A Critical Convergence (2000) and Visual Knowing: Connecting Art and Ideas Across the Curriculum (2005); the core chapter on visual and performing arts for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development's Curriculum Handbook (2002), and the "Art in the Schools" entry for Macmillan's Encyclopedia of Education (2003).

Walling's recent books include Public Education, Democracy, and the Common Good (Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation, 2004) and Teaching Writing to Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic Learners (Corwin Press, 2006).

"Walling has created an outstanding book that is easy to read and understand, with valuable tips that will make any teacher a more effective instructor. While we have all read of 'writing across the curriculum areas,' Walling gives us an understanding of what this really means and provides examples that any teacher can modify to expand lessons to a more meaningful level, thus enhancing both writing and critical thinking skills in students."