Comprehensive Composition

by Kathryn Stout

Design-A-Study: Resources for Creating a Custom Curriculum

This is a teacher’s resource book for writing instruction for grades 1-12. The author’s goal was to provide a vehicle for writing instruction based upon integration of writing assignments with other subjects being studied rather than depending upon textbook composition topics. The author provides thorough instruction in skills with some sample topics to get students started. Students then can apply the skills to other topics being studied.

The writing process is developed throughout the book with general guidelines provided for what should be expected at different levels. Specific guidelines are given for various types of writing (essays, descriptive writing, writing a news story, etc.).

One section of the book deals with elements of style and grammar in sentence construction. Another chapter is a grammar reference source. Although it does not cover the parts of speech, it does cover capitalization and punctuation.

One of the most valuable parts of the book is the final section of sample lessons. In each sample, the assignment topic is given and we are shown how the lesson was presented or how the student worked to develop his composition. Then we read the final (and sometimes intermediate) results.

The book is not intended to be used in strict sequence but in the order best for each learning situation.

This has to be one of the most concise, yet comprehensive books for teaching the writing process available to home educators. Material for early grades is rather limited, but for middle elementary through high school level it should be excellent.

Kathryn Stout also has a 60-minute audiotape, How to Teach Composition, that will help you learn how to teach and evaluate composition skills ($4.50).