Read Like a Writer

Students annotate a text from the writer's perspective: why this word? Why this structure?

Procedure

1. Give students a well-written model text.
2. Students read and annotate: circle effective word choices, underline interesting structures, note techniques in the margin.
3. Pairs compare annotations.
4. Class discussion: what makes this writing effective?
5. Students apply one observed technique to their own writing.

Tips

• Ask specific prompts: "Why did the writer start with a question?" "What's the effect of this short sentence after a long one?"
• The goal is craft awareness, not comprehension.