When it comes to writing, everyone has a different experience. Some people are better at writing than others and some prefer to write in different genres than others. There are so many variations, which is great because it means there is so much opportunity to grow as a writer. However, that also means that there are a lot of variables to consider when you are looking to improve your writing skills. One of the best places to start is with your first grade writing. This is the grade where you learn basic letter patterns and how to write simple sentences. But, what do you actually learn in first grade writing? Let’s take a look.
Vary Your Sentences
One of the things you learn in first grade is to vary your sentences. You start out simply by alternating between sentences with a conjunction such as and or but as you get better, you try out different combinations of connecting words or phrases. This helps create a more natural flow in your writing and give it that extra touch of authenticity. The first few times you do this, it may not seem like much but after a while, you will find that your writing starts to flow much more naturally. This is because you are using different combinations of words and phrases instead of opting for the same old, same old. Of course, there is still some repetition but for the most part, you will not be using the same sentence structure twice in a row. This will help keep your readers interested and make them want to keep reading.
Use Numbers & Spellings Correctly
Another thing you learn in first grade is to use numbers and spelling correctly. When you write numbers, you write them out in full (i.e. 3, 4, etc.). You do not just write ‘3’, you write ‘three’. There are no exceptions to this rule and it applies to all numbers, regardless of whether they are whole numbers or decimal places. Spellings are another thing that you have to learn to be correct. Just because you are using numbers and spelling correctly does not mean that your work will be automatically accepted. You will have to prove to the teacher that you know what you are doing and that learning these rules will not be too difficult for you to keep up with. This is a basic tenet of good writing and it applies to all levels, from first grade on up. If you want to be a good writer, you have to learn these rules instinctively and do your best to never violate them intentionally. If you want to be perfect, then you will have to work at it diligently and make it a habit to never break them unintentionally. This will make a huge difference in your writing and ensure that you are starting out on the right foot. Always bear in mind that you are a beginner and you will make mistakes. That is natural and it is perfectly fine. Just try your best to learn from these mistakes. When you do make a mistake, your teacher will help you find the correct spelling, number, and grammar.
Understand Causality
Also, in first grade, you learn to understand causation. This means that you have to show how one thing leads to another. You can do this using either one of two different methods. The first is through a sequence of events. For example, if you want to show how the school dress code led to Lisa’s parents getting into an argument, you could write something like this:
“One day, Lisa’s mom told her that she could not wear a crop top to school. In response, Lisa protested that she was not wearing a crop top but a tank top. Her mom told her to go put on a t-shirt, at which point, the argument ensued. Afterward, Mrs. O’Brien told her mother that she should not dress her in tight clothing because it made her look like a prostitute. Her mother frowned and asked how that was relevant to the issue at hand. Mrs. O’Brien then explained that it was relevant because it showed the evolution of the dress code from simple ‘no cleavage’ to ‘no tight clothing’ to ‘no pants that expose your knees’. At the end of the day, it was just a matter of time before people started misbehaving in response to the dress code. As a result, the administration had to add yet another paragraph to the dress code, limiting the time students could wear scarves and bandanas, among other things.”
Another way to show causation is by using what are known as ‘cause and effect’ sentences. These sentences always begin with the word ‘because’. This is because the resulting effect is always a logical or required consequence of the cause. For example, if you want to show how the school dress code led to Lisa’s parents getting into an argument, you could write:
“Because she could not wear a crop top to school, Lisa decided to protest by wearing a tank top instead. This drew the attention of her teacher, who told her to put on a t-shirt. In protest, Lisa argued that she could not wear a tank top because she was not wearing a crop top. A t-shirt did nothing to change the fact that she was still wearing a skirt and heels and had not yet adjusted to wearing clothing that covered her knees. Her teacher then told her that it was inappropriate for her to wear a skirt to school because it was a violation of the dress code. This made it clear that while the dress code allowed for some flexibility, there were ultimately going to be consequences if she continued to break the rules. In response, Lisa changed her clothes and began wearing pants and t-shirts instead of skirts and heels. Because she was now more comfortable with her body, she became happier and started to enjoy school. Once she stopped caring about what she was wearing, she stopped caring about the dress code and began dressing as she pleased.”
You will see many examples of these two types of causation sentences in fiction. The first type is generally used for comedy while the second type is generally used in dramas and action thrillers. You must remember to vary your sentences and use numbers and spelling correctly but you should also keep these two tips in mind when using causation in your writing.
Consult A Dictionary
Another thing you learn in first grade is to look up the definitions of words you are not familiar with. Learning to define words correctly is a critical part of being a writer. You must remember that a dictionary is not a thesaurus and you cannot use the two interchangeably. A dictionary is a tool you can use to look up the definition of a word or phrase and you should look up the words you are not familiar with as soon as you start writing. This way, you will not confuse the meaning of a word while you are writing and it will not be difficult to research the correct definition when you are stuck. Many times, this will even give you the inspiration you need to continue your writing as you progress through the grades. In fact, even if you learn to write well, it is still necessary to learn how to research words correctly.
There are so many different skills you learn in first grade and even if you do not think so, you are bound to learn something new every day. After all, your teacher is a professional and she wants you to be a good student. While it is not always easy, by following these few simple rules, you will make a world of difference in your first grade writing. Just remember to vary your sentences, use numbers and spelling correctly, and look up the definitions of words you are not familiar with. With a little bit of practice, this will not seem so difficult and it will become a habit. Soon enough, you will be able to look back on your first grade writing with pride and remember all that you learned. Good luck out there.