help my daughter with writing. She reads at the fifth-grade level, but she struggles with writing. She can tell stories verbally, but when it comes to putting it on paper, she has problems. How can I help her to improve her writing skills?

Answer: There are two kinds of writing. One tells a story and has a beginning, middle and end. The other gives information that has an introduction, body and a conclusion. The key to success for either type of writing is to have a plan that will tell about the topic. A great planner treasures writing out the sketch first by starting with a topic sentence or main thought. Next, he has to write or outline the reason(s) or fact(s) followed by examples as explanations. Finally, he writes the conclusion, which usually restates the topic sentence and becomes the ending paragraph or thought.

Here is a guide for your child to follow for writing a winning story or paragraph.

Writing Checklist for Success

• Write a topic sentence
• Sketch out ideas-reasons
• Give details and examples
• Draft
• Reread and make corrections
• Edit: Check for transitional words, capital letters, punctuation, spelling
• Revise: Stayed on topic and have a concluding statement
• Proofread
• Final copy

Activities That Build Writing Skills

• Have your child keep a diary.
• When you go on a trip, have her keep a map, and design and write a brochure.
• Have her write or email her relatives.
• Suggest she write and illustrate a story herself.