Writing Strand: The Greats

The Greatness in Writing

   Great writers and their literature have strongly influenced the world. Their writings have evolved  into what it has become today. The beautiful thing about teaching language in the classroom is that the teacher can utilize these great writers and incorporate their works into lesson plans. By studying and reading their writings, students have only improved their abilities. In my school experience, teachers have always encouraged me to pick up a book and read. They have always been open to suggesting works that would interest and influence one's writing.

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   Let's take a look at the Ontario language curriculum and search for some expectations that we could use in the grade 5 classroom. While students analyze the works of writers to strengthen their own. This can relay into the following overall expectation, "reflect on and identify their strengths as writers, areas for improvement, and the strategies they found most helpful at different stages in the writing process" (Ontario Government, page 100). By students reflecting upon great works presented in the classroom, students will be able to strengthen their areas of writing. Specific expectations that can be used are in section four, "Reflecting on Writing Skills and Strategies" (Ontario Government, page 102). The two I have selected from this section are:

4.1 Metacognition: "identify what strategies they found most helpful before, during, and after writing and what steps they can take to improve as writers" (Ontario Government, page 102)

4.3 Portfolio: "select pieces of writing that they think reflect their growth and competence as writers and explain the reasons for their choices" (Ontario Government, page 102)

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Now let's look at some great writers and their works to brainstorm lesson plans, encompassing writing strands. I have chosen three to explore in this blog.

Moby Dick by Herman Melville

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"This now-famous book about a man's hunt for the great whale is considered one of the greatest American novels ever written. Moby Dick is heavy on symbolism, but is also famous for the detailing of the whaling industry in the 19th century and its many different narrative styles and structures." (OEDb, 2019)- Quote Source

Students can read 'Moby Dick' while focusing on the various, iconic narratives throughout the novel. As a learning activity, students can create a character who does not exist in the actual story and write a narrative. The goal is to expand their writing style, while still being enveloped in Melville's world.


The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

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"William Shakespeare is often considered the greatest writer in the English language and the greatest dramatist in all of history. The characters, stories, and language have taken hold of readers for hundreds of years and have greatly contributed to shaping modern culture. Shakespeare's complete works have been translated into every major language and are still enjoyed around the world." (OEDb, 2019)- Quote Source

Students can write reflections on how Shakespeare's writing is influential to them. How the understanding of his writing style can build toward their own. Lastly, what they found most useful in his style of writing, which they could add to their own.

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway 

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"As all the novels Hemingway published in his life, The Old Man and the Sea typically reflects his unique writing style. The language is simple and natural on the surface, but actually deliberate and artificial. Hemingway’s style is related to his experience as a journalist. The influence of his style is great all over the world."
(Yaochen Xie, 2008)- Quote Source

Hemingway's iceberg writing technique greatly influenced, 'The Old Man and the Sea." Students can study this writing style by reading the novel, and writing their own stories through inspiration of the book.



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Reading can foster great writing. By analyzing readings, great writing can be understood and influenced. I hope my blog has expanded your thinking on teaching writing in the classroom. Students can grow as writers through the many greats that came before them.