Author’s Study“What do good writer’s

do?”4th Grade

September, 2014

Patricia Polacco• Illustrates• Strong themes/morals• Real life/realistic stories and

problems• Interesting title• Uses good adjectives• Many details• Expresses her feelings

http://www.patriciapolacco.com/author/index.html

Tomie dePaola• Different locations/settings• Writes fairy tales, folklore, and legends• Stories based on the past• Includes dialogue• Different languages spoken in stories• Illustrates (very detailed)• Includes social issues• Strong theme/morals• Specific details• Interesting adjectives to describe nouns• Strong vocabulary• Repeating characters• Usually happy endings

http://www.tomie.com/main.html

Important things writer’s do…

1. Clearly organize the story (clear beginning, middle, and end)

2. Focus on a small moment or event3. “Hook” readers with a strong opening4. Include sensory details5. Use words that SHOW rather than

TELL6. Include thoughts and feelings

Eleven by Sandra CisnerosHow does Cisneros organize her story

(beginning, middle, end)What moment does Cisneros focus on?Describe the opening of Cisnero’s story. How

does she grab the reader’s attention?Give 5 examples of sensory details used in

“Eleven” (sights, sounds, smells, etc.)Give five examples of precise language in the

story (words that SHOW rather than TELL)What are the author’s thoughts or feelings

about her experience? How do you know?