At Silverdale Press, we understand that, as a homeschooling mom, you are busy and cannot devote all of your time to improving your child's writing. But even in the midst of your busy life, there are still some steps you can take to help your child write with style.
But first, what is writing style?
By writing style, we mean four things:
(1) correctness--whether grammar and punctuation are used properly
(2) clarity--whether sentences are direct and intelligible
(3) ornamentation--whether words are pleasing and interesting, and
(4) propriety--whether the writing is appropriate for the audience.
Does your child need to work on any of these elements of style? If so, here are some action steps you can take.
First, encourage your child to read.
By reading voraciously, especially books from the world’s greatest writers, your child will absorb excellent prose. You child’s vocabulary will expand, as will his or her knowledge of correctness in grammar and punctuation. Remember this essential truth: reading widely covers a multitude of writing sins!
Second, check out a style guide.
Here’s a pro tip. There are few great, mass-market writing style guides that have helped generations of writers, amateurs and professionals alike. If your teen’s writing style needs a boost, put one of these classics in his or her hands:
(1) The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White
(2) On Writing Well by William Zinsser
(3) Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace by Joseph M. Williams
Third, invest in a good writing curriculum.
As busy homeschool mom, there is no shame in relying on outside help, especially for subjects in which you are not an expert. That’s why we at Silverdale Press wrote our new curriculum, Persuasive Writing and Classical Rhetoric: Practicing the Habits of Great Writers. By letting us take care of the writing instruction for you, you’ll have more time, and you can rest assured that your child will receive expert instruction on how to write with style.
Click here to download a free sample chapter of our writing curriculum!
Just listen to what this homeschool mom has to say about our curriculum:
"I have found an amazing homeschool writing curriculum and I wasn't even looking for one...The program is easy to use and exposes students to some great literature in the process.” ~ Kim C.
This essential skill will set your child up for success in college, a career, and life! Why not give it a try?
Check out our About Page to learn more about us!