Enduring Understandings and Overarching Essential Questions for Writing
TEXT TYPES AND PURPOSES
Common Core Anchor Writing Standard
Standard 1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
K-8 Program Enduring Understanding
- An argument’s effectiveness depends upon the validity and appropriateness of the supporting evidence and how the argument is conveyed.
K-8 Program Essential Questions
- What makes an argument convincing?
- What evidence can I use to support my argument?
- How do I organize and present my argument?
Common Core Anchor Writing Standard
Standard 2: Write informative/ explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
K-8 Program Enduring Understandings
- Conveying information and ideas clearly depends upon selecting and analyzing information and organizing that content for a specific purpose.
- An information writer’s purpose is to demonstrate understanding of a topic and for the readers to become informed.
K-8 Program Essential Questions
- What is my purpose for writing informational/explanatory texts?
- What is the value of information?
- How do I organize and structure my informational/explanatory writing?
Common Core Anchor Writing Standard
Standard 3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
K-8 Program Enduring Understanding
- Narratives provide a way to share real or imagined experiences and/or events in writing.
K-8 Program Essential Questions
- Why do writers write and share their real or imagined experiences/stories?
- What makes a story engaging?
- How can we learn about each other and the world through sharing our stories?
- How do I organize and structure my story/narrative writing?
PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION
Common Core Anchor Writing Standard
Standard 4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
K-8 Program Enduring Understanding
- Proficient writers make deliberate choices regarding content, language, and style to convey their message to a target audience.
K-8 Program Essential Questions
- What makes a clear and coherent piece of writing?
- How does audience shape my writing?
Common Core Anchor Writing Standard
Standard 5: Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
K-8 Program Enduring Understandings
- Writing is strengthened through a recursive process involving gathering ideas, planning, drafting, revising, and editing.
- Writers reflect on their writing.
K-8 Program Essential Questions
- How does a writing process strengthen/support my writing?
- How do I develop and refine my ideas?
- How can I get and use helpful feedback to improve my writing?
Common Core Anchor Writing Standard
Standard 6: Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.
K-8 Program Enduring Understanding
- Different publishing media (e.g. digital, print) influence content, structure, and style.
K-8 Program Essential Question
- How do I choose which media to use to communicate my message?
RESEARCH TO BUILD AND PRESENT KNOWLEDGE
Common Core Anchor Writing Standard
Standard 7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
K-8 Program Enduring Understandings
- There are multiple sources of information and those selected depend on the purpose and audience for writing.
- Clear and focused questions help researchers find the desired information.
K-8 Program Essential Question
- What am I looking for and how do I find it?
Common Core Anchor Writing Standard
Standard 8: Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism.
K-8 Program Enduring Understanding
- Effective researchers evaluate the credibility, accuracy, and relevance of information.
K-8 Program Essential Questions
- How do I know what to believe in what I read, hear, and view?
- How do I evaluate a source?
Common Core Anchor Writing Standard
Standard 9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
K-8 Program Enduring Understanding
- Effective research involves a recursive inquiry process.
K-8 Program Essential Questions
- How can I support my findings and conclusions?
- How can I revise my thinking based on new evidence or information?
RANGE OF WRITING
Common Core Anchor Writing Standard
Standard 10: Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.
K-8 Program Enduring Understandings
- Writers write on a regular basis for a variety of purposes.
- Writers build stamina, volume, and confidence over time.
- Writers persevere.
- Writers are flexible depending on the purpose, audience, and intent.
K-8 Program Essential Questions
- Why am I writing? What is my purpose?
- Who is my audience? What will work best for my audience?