Four Square Writing Method – A Way to Differentiate Writing Instruction

Diane S. Brown, Ph.D.

Marygrove College

November 8, 2008

Overview – The Problem

• Students in a single classroom may differ in abilities by as much as 3-5 years

• All children need to be able to write effectively

• If the process of getting thoughts to the page is too difficult or too time consuming, children will become discouraged

Overview – The Solution

• Four Square Writing works for narrative, descriptive, expository and persuasive forms of writing.

• It is applicable across grade levels and curriculum areas.

• It can “grow” with the child’s ability

• Prewriting and organizational skills are taught through the use of a graphic organizer.

• The visual organizers help students to conceptualize, understand, and structure a piece of written discourse successfully.

• The process reinforces the relationship of ideas within a larger text.

Overview – The Solution

Step 1 – Getting Started

• Fold the paper into fourths

• Brainstorm to select a topic or use a topic provided by the instructor

• Write the topic on the center line

• Write 1 idea about that topic in boxes 1-3

• Use the topic and the supporting ideas to create a summary sentence in box 4

The Four Square Writing Process

Can be adapted for age, ability, subject and writing style

Uses graphic organizers

Reinforces the relationships between ideas in a text

The Four Square Writing Process is a valuable teaching technique because it can be adapted for age, ability, subject and writing style, uses graphic organizers, and reinforces the relationships between ideas in a text.

Step 2 – Beef it Up (4 + 3)

• Add details to each of the boxes

• Make sure the details expand upon the heading in the box

• Goal is 3 details per box

• Change box headers to sentences.

• Finalize concluding sentence

The Four Square Writing Process is a valuable teaching technique

The Four Square Writing Process can be adapted to any situation.

The process is centered upon the use of graphic organizers.

The visual scaffold of the Four Square format reinforces the relationships

between ideas in a text

I prefer the Four Square Writing Process because it can be adapted to a variety of needs and uses, employs both written and visual intelligences, and improves writing coherence.

• different ages and abilities

• different forms of writing

• used in different subjects.

• Proven effective teaching technique.

• helps students who have visual intelligence

• pictures and/or text

• fold down the paper to for 1 section

• draw lines or arrows to connect ideas

• add papers to expand the structure

Step 3 – Order Words & Clean Up4 + 3 + C + V

• Add connecting or order words to lay down the “path” for the reader

• Change details into Vivid sentences with adjectives

• Check to make sure details are under the correct sub-heading and in the proper order.

Details

The Four Square Writing Process is a valuable teaching technique.

First, the Four Square Writing Process can be adapted to any situation.

Furthermore, the process is centered upon the use of graphic organizers.

Finally, the visual scaffold of the Four Square format reinforces the relationships

between ideas in a text

I prefer the Four Square Writing Process because it can be adapted to a variety of needs and uses, employs both written and visual intelligences, and improves writing coherence.

It can be used for narrative, descriptive, expository and persuasive forms of writing

Nearly every subject area can use this method including English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign language..

It can even be used for pre-writers through Ph.D. level.

Graphic organizers have long been recognized as an effective teaching technique.

They help students who have visual intelligence organize their thoughts

They can be used with pictures as well as text

The paper can be folded down to just work on one section.

Lines and arrows can be drawn to plot relationships between ideas.

Papers can be added onto the corners to expand the structure.

Step 4 – Add Interest

• Add a personal narrative to each section

• Use the KISS and the “girl’s skirt” principles

• Stay on course - make sure that the narratives add to the interest rather than wandering off into unfamiliar territory.

The Four Square Writing Process is a valuable teaching technique.

First, the Four Square Writing Process can be adapted to any situation.

Furthermore, the process is centered upon the use of graphic organizers.

Finally, the visual scaffold of the Four Square format reinforces the relationships between

ideas in a text

I prefer the Four Square Writing Process because it can be adapted to a variety of needs and uses, employs both written and visual intelligences, and improves writing coherence.

It can be used for narrative, descriptive, expository and persuasive forms of writing

Nearly every subject area can use this method including English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign language..

It can even be used for pre-writers through Ph.D. level.

For example, I used the Four Square method to write the qualifying exams for my Ph.D.

Graphic organizers have long been recognized as an effective teaching technique.

They help students who have visual intelligence organize their thoughts

They can be used with pictures as well as text.

Kindergartners frequently find success by beginning with pictures and single words.

The paper can be folded down to just work on one section.

Lines and arrows can be drawn to plot relationships between ideas.

Papers can be added onto the corners to expand the structure.

In fact, once filled out, this basic organizer can be cut apart and used to start 4 separate organizers of a much larger paper.

Step 1: Categorizing - Pictures

Zoo

Step 1: Categorizing - Words

Zoo

Lion

Elephant

Giraffe

Step 2: Examples and a Feeling Sentence

Zoo

Lion Giraffe

ElephantI like going to the zoo to see the animals.

Step 3 – Create Sentences

1. Reason –

There are lions there.

2. Reason –

There are giraffes there.

3. Reason –

There are elephants there.

4. Feeling –

I like going to the zoo to see the animals.

Complete sentence – The Zoo is a great place.

4 Types of Order/Connecting Words

• Beginning – First, One Reason, For Example, Beginning – First, One Reason, For Example, To Begin WithTo Begin With

• Middle – Second, Also, Another Reason, Middle – Second, Also, Another Reason, Another Example, In Addition, As Well As, Another Example, In Addition, As Well As, Additionally, Moreover, FurthermoreAdditionally, Moreover, Furthermore

• Ending – Last, Finally, Third, Lastly, Ultimately, Ending – Last, Finally, Third, Lastly, Ultimately, At Last, At Long Last, At Last, At Long Last,

• Summarizing – In Conclusion, In Summary, In Summarizing – In Conclusion, In Summary, In Short, So You Can See, Hence, ThereforeShort, So You Can See, Hence, Therefore

Types of Writing - Expository

• Gives information

• States reasons or examples

• Very structured

• Connecting words a must

• Few quotations

• Little action

• Usually nouns in boxes 1-3

Types of Writing - Narrative

• Entertains• Has events• More loosely structured• Connecting words only as needed for

chronology• More dialogue• Lots of action• Usually verbs in boxes 1-3

Types of Writing –Descriptive and Persuasive

• The expository form is a combination of persuasion and descriptive detail.

• Begin with the expository form.

• Structure varies in the topic sentence and the type of information in boxes 1-3

• Usually involves lots of adjectives and adverbs.

Resources

• Gould, Judith S. and Evan Jay (1999).  Four Square Writing Method for Grades 1-3.  Teaching & Learning Company, Carthage, IL.

• Gould, Judith S. and Evan Jay (1999).  Four Square Writing Method for Grades 4-6.  Teaching & Learning Company, Carthage, IL.

• Template for beginners:• http://www.vrml.k12.la.us/cc/4square/writingsquares4.asp

The Four Square Writing Process

The Four Square Writing Process is a valuable teaching technique. First, the Four Square Writing Process can be adapted to any situation. It can be used for narrative, descriptive, expository and persuasive forms of writing. Nearly every subject area can use this method including English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign language. It can even be used for pre-writers through Ph.D. level. For example, I used the Four Square method to write the qualifying exams for my Ph.D.

Furthermore, the process is centered upon the use of graphic organizers. Graphic organizers have long been recognized as an effective teaching technique. They help students who have visual intelligence organize their thoughtsThey can be used with pictures as well as text. Kindergartners frequently find success by beginning with pictures and single words.

Finally, the visual scaffold of the Four Square format reinforces the relationships between ideas in a text. The paper can be folded down to just work on one section. Lines and arrows can be drawn to plot relationships between ideas. Papers can be added onto the corners to expand the structure. In fact, once filled out, this basic organizer can be cut apart and used to start 4 separate organizers of a much larger paper.

In conclusion, I prefer the Four Square Writing Process because it can be adapted to a variety of needs and uses, employs both written and visual intelligences, and improves writing coherence.