What are Total Language Plus’s Writing Guides?

Think of Total Language Plus (TLP) Writing Guides as an indispensable navigational tool, a "helpful map" that charts the course toward effective writing. These guides are meticulously designed to provide students with clear, step-by-step instructions and rich examples drawn from expert authors. Through the careful study of "mentor texts," students gain practical insights into the artistry of writing.

The practice gained through TLP’s Writing Guides is instrumental in building students' confidence in their writing abilities. The overarching goal is to transform writing from a frustrating chore into a more manageable and even enjoyable endeavor. Beyond the immediate benefit to writing, the skills cultivated through these guides are transferable and reinforce success in other crucial areas such as reading comprehension and effective speaking.

Our guides are crafted to create a supportive and "safe environment" where students can experiment with various writing styles without fear of immediate judgment. They are encouraged to produce rough drafts, which then become canvases for applying sophisticated strategies to refine and enhance their work.

Animal Farm

Grades: high school (British literature)

Focus: discernment

Writing: opinion essays, character analysis, critical thinking

The Good Earth

Grades: 9th – 12th

Focus: Ecclesiastes

Writing: critical thinking, character analysis

Island of the Blue Dolphins

Grades: 5th – 8th

Focus: survival

Writing: essays using 5-step approach; similes, metaphors; descriptions

Out of the Dust

Grades: 6th – 8th

Focus: understanding poetry

Writing: poetry, literary devices such as alliteration, assonance, consonance, etc.