The writing process for grade 5 students typically includes the following steps:

1. Prewriting:

   • Brainstorming: Students generate ideas for their writing. This can be done through activities like mind mapping, listing, free writing, or discussing with peers.

   • Researching: For certain assignments, students gather information from books, articles, or the internet to support their ideas.

   • Planning: Students organize their ideas and create an outline. They decide on the main points they want to cover and the order in which they will present them.

2. Drafting:

   • Writing the First Draft: Students begin to put their ideas into sentences and paragraphs, following their outline. The focus is on getting ideas down on paper without worrying too much about grammar, spelling, or punctuation.

3. Revising:

   • Improving Content and Structure: Students review their drafts to make improvements. This includes adding more details, rearranging content for better flow, clarifying ideas, and ensuring that their writing meets the assignment's objectives.

   • Peer Review: Students often share their work with classmates to get feedback. This helps them see their writing from a different perspective and identify areas for improvement.

4. Editing:

   • Correcting Grammar and Spelling: Students focus on fixing errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and sentence structure. They may use tools like dictionaries, grammar checkers, and style guides.

   • Polishing Language: Students work on refining their word choice and sentence variety to make their writing more engaging and clear.

5. Publishing:

   • Final Copy: Students create a clean, final version of their writing. This may involve typing it up, adding illustrations, or creating a presentation.

   • Sharing: Students share their finished work with others. This could be through classroom displays, reading aloud, or submitting it for assessment.

6. Reflecting:

   • Self-Assessment: Students reflect on their writing process and the final product. They consider what they did well, what challenges they faced, and how they can improve in future writing tasks.

   • Setting Goals: Based on their reflections, students set goals for their next writing project to continue developing their skills.

These steps help students develop a structured approach to writing, encouraging them to think critically about their work and continually improve their skills.

Using a mnemonic can be a helpful way for students to remember the steps of the writing process. One popular mnemonic is "P.O.W.E.R." which stands for:

1. Prewrite

2. Organize

3. Write (or Draft)

4. Edit (or Revise)

5. Revise (or Rewrite, Edit)

Here's a breakdown of the mnemonic:

1. Pre-write: Brainstorming, researching, and planning.

2. Organize: Creating an outline to structure the writing.

3. Write: Drafting the initial version of the piece.

4. Edit: Correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

5. Revise: Reviewing content and making improvements.

There are four main reasons for writing: to inform, to entertain, to describe and to persuade. Whatever the purpose, there are some basic qualities that are in all good pieces of writing. 

1. fresh and exciting ideas. 

2. captivating introduction 

3. vivid details 

4. well-organized with a distinct beginning, middle and end. 

5. keeps the audience in mind and answers any questions they may have. 

6. writes in a voice that connects with the readers 

7. interesting and advanced vocabulary that includes specific nouns and vivid adjectives. 

8. uses transitional words to keep the piece flowing 

9. different types of sentences with varying lengths 

10. good grammar, spelling and punctuation. 11. neat and well presented. 

There are four main types of writing. 

They each serve a different purpose. 

1. Narrative Writing – This type of 

writing tells a story.  It is mainly 

written for entertainment. A 

personal narrative tells a story 

about you. 

2. Descriptive Writing – Uses 

figurative language and provides 

sensory details about a person, 

place, thing or idea so that a clear 

picture is painted in the reader’s 

mind.  

3. Expository Writing – Provides 

information, gives an explanation 

or directions. 

4. Persuasive/Opinion Writing - 

This type of writing expresses how 

the writer feels about a particular 

subject and attempts to get others 

to feel the same way. 

Before writing there are several 

prewriting steps to follow: 

1. Generate ideas.  Strategies that 

can be utilized to help generate 

ideas include: peer discussions, 

brainstorming, grouping ideas that 

are alike, conducting research in 

textbooks or on the internet, 

talking to people who might be 

knowledgeable about the topic, 

conducting a survey, making a list 

etc. 

2. Select the best ideas.  Review 

the ideas and then make a 

selection based on those that are 

most important, most interesting 

and have information that is 

readily available. 

3. Refine ideas.  Ask leading 

questions that will give specific 

details on which the writer can 

elaborate:  Who?  What?  When?  

Where?  Why?  How?

Sequence is the order in which things 

happen or should happen.  Sequential 

order is very important when one is 

relaying a story, writing directions or 

instructions for performing a particular 

task and describing something. 

 Before Words: ‘formerly’ and ‘prior 

to’ 

 Words that Show First: ‘initially’ 

and ‘originally’ 

 Words that Show Next: ‘shortly 

after’ and ‘a few seconds later’ 

 Words that Show Last: ‘to finish’ 

and ‘in conclusion’ 

Another way to put ideas in order is to 

use space order particularly when 

describing the location of something. 

Space order tells about something from 

top to bottom or from left to right or 

vice versa.   

Prepositions like ‘below’ and ‘beside’ 

relay specific images. 

Compare and contrast order tells how  things are alike at first and then how 

they are different or vice versa.  ‘As 

well as’ and ‘likewise’ are words that 

compare.  ‘However’ and ‘on the other 

hand’ contrast. 

Sometimes transitional words help to 

move from one idea to another.  

Examples of these words are: ‘further’ 

and ‘in addition to’.

An essay is divided into several 

paragraphs.  A good paragraph has 

a topic sentence that clearly states 

the main idea.  The other sentences 

in the paragraph provide the details 

that support that idea.  

Good paragraphs also have 

transitional words and phrases that 

show clear relationships or 

connections between ideas, 

sentences or paragraphs.  There are 

three main types of transitions. They 

are transitions of time, comparison 

and contrast and transitions for 

exemplifying. 

Time:  first, then, next, before, finally, 

at last, later 

Compare/Contrast: however, but, 

although, like 

Example: for example, namely, that 

is, along with 

The last sentence in a paragraph 

should tie the supporting sentences 

together. It is called the concluding sentence. A strong conclusion sums up the main idea of the paragraph. Narrative Writing – When telling a story, the topic sentence should indicate what the story will be about. The supporting details should all provide information related to that topic. Do not include un-related information. Example: My birthday party was a disaster. To begin with, all of my friends came late. Then, there were no candles for the cake and most important of all, no one bought presents. I just want this day to end. Descriptive Writing – The topic sentence should tell what is being described. The supporting details should provide vivid descriptions of that person, place, thing or animal. Example: The beach in Orange Creek, Cat Island is gorgeous! The water is crystal clear. At the right tide, white sand dunes can be seen poking out of the water. Among them you may find tiny crabs, shells and other treasures. The sunset gives it  all a gorgeous orange glow.  You 

must visit this picturesque beach! 

Expository Writing:   

If your purpose is to inform your 

reader, your supporting details 

should be facts.   

Example:  The crawfish season in 

The Bahamas is from 1st August to 

31st March.  It is important to 

establish a crawfish season for 

several reasons.  First, it allows the 

crawfish time to reproduce and for 

the babies to grow.  Secondly, it 

ensures that we do not consume too 

much crawfish which might cause 

them to become extinct.  Finally, it 

also ensures that some crawfish are 

there to perform their jobs of keeping 

the reefs clean.  If we follow these 

rules, we can enjoy crawfish for a 

long time. 

Persuasive Writing:  If the purpose 

is to persuade, then the topic 

sentence should clearly state the 

opinion of the writer on a particular 

topic and then have solid reasons in 

the details to support that viewpoint. Example:  

Keep your promises!  Why is that 

important you may ask?  First, God 

expects us to speak truth.  When we 

don’t, it disappoints Him.  Secondly, it 

also helps to build trust with our 

parents and friends.  If your parents 

can’t trust you to keep your word, 

then they may not allow you to do 

certain things that you like or go 

certain places with your friends.  

Finally, you will earn the respect of 

your teachers.  Keeping promises is 

one of the most important decisions 

you will ever make.

The introduction of an essay is key as its function is to capture the attention of the readers, to draw them into the piece and to provide the topic sentence.  There are many ways to begin a piece.  The writer has to decide which one would be best for the type of writing and the topic. 

 Begin with action. Michael ran down the field with the long pole in his hands.  He planted it in the ground and leaped into the air over the high bar and then flopped onto the bed. 

 Use onomatopoeia. Swish!  The wind blew the curtains into the flowerpot and sent it crashing to the ground. 

 Use alliteration.  Pitter, patter, pitter, patter went the rain on the windowsill. 

 Start with the end.  Brandon opened his room door to find all of his books and toys scattered on the ground. 

 Begin with a quote. “A word to the wise is sufficient” echoed in my mind as I walked to the principal’s office. 

 Begin with a dialogue. “Ouch!” I screamed, as the nurse touched my arm.  “Relax child, I have not even given you the needle as yet,” she laughed.

The conclusion of a writing piece brings everything to an end in a way that is satisfying for readers. A good writer does not have to “announce” that it is the “end” but should move the readers through the piece in such a way that they realize the piece is concluding. 

There are several ways to conclude a piece of writing. 

End with a quote or a proverb.  

Because he obeyed his mother, Byron escaped the jaws of the angry dog.  “A word to the wise is sufficient” indeed! 

Restate the topic sentence from the introductory paragraph in a different way.  If we follow these rules, we can enjoy crawfish for a long time. 

Summarize the main points. Do not introduce new ideas. Remember to ask questions during class when you do not understand something, complete your homework, review your schoolwork daily and study hard for your exams so that you can be a successful student.   

Provide your opinion.  That is why I believe that the best response to someone who is being rude, is to be extra kind to that person. 

State the lesson learned or moral of the story.  After that hurricane I recognized the value of being prepared. 

Give a challenge.  Can you make someone’s life better in a big or small way?  Do not wait, do it today! 

Add a surprise. In the distance she saw a figure moving towards her.  It was Dereck!  She could not believe her eyes.  Her prayers had been answered.

Voice refers to how much of the writer can be felt in a piece.  Is the writer interested and passionate about what is being written?   

The work of many famous authors can be recognized by their voice and writing style.  

The writer’s voice comes through in the tone and mood of the piece.  

Tone refers to the feeling that an author creates.  Is the piece serious? Playful? angry? etc.  

The mood is the feeling that the reader gets after reading the piece.  

Is the reader happy? sad? fearful?  

It is important that the tone matches the message that the writer is trying to send.  If the subject is serious for example, the language should not be light or funny.

The viewpoint from which material is written affects the voice.  Writing can be done from different perspectives.  Be careful when writing that you do not move from one perspective to another. 

First Person – This perspective uses pronouns like I, me, my, mine, and myself to tell the story.  The story is only being told from one person’s perspective.  Because it is personal, an easy connection can be made with the reader. 

Second Person – This viewpoint uses pronouns like you and yours.  The story is being told by someone who is looking on. 

Third Person – He, she, it and they are used when writing from this perspective.  When writing from this viewpoint, the writer is the person who is looking on.  Readers get to experience the inner thoughts of the characters.   

Personification – This is when the writing is done from the perspective of an animal or an object.  This is accomplished by giving the animal or object human characteristics such as speaking or gesturing. 

Poems can be enhanced with the use of similes and metaphors.  A simile is a comparison using like or as. It compares two similar objects. A metaphor states that one thing is something else. The comparison is made without the use of like or as. 

Colour Poem: 

This is a poem that can be used to tell about the author’s favourite colour.  Analogies, similes or list nouns which are (or remind you of) that colour may be used.  Writers use their senses to tell what it looks like, sounds like etc. 

Free Verse Poems:   Free verse poems have no set pattern.  Parts of it can be rhymed or unrhymed.  These types of poems sound like natural speech.  

Writers often use dialogue in their 

narrative pieces to make them more 

interesting.  Quotation marks are 

used to set apart the exact words of 

the speaker from the rest of the 

sentence. One of the quotation marks 

appears at the beginning of what was 

said and the other at the end.  The 

first word in a quote is capitalized. 

Example:  

“Should we wait?” I asked. 

Commas are used to separate who is 

speaking from what is being said.  

Example:   

“Ricky,” she shouted, “Look at that 

lovely specimen on the rock.” 

We drank the lemonade slowly, “That 

was refreshing!” Jack exclaimed. 

Quotation marks are used to identify 

the title of a song or a piece of writing. 

The first quotation mark goes at the 

beginning of the title and the second 

quotation mark at the end of the title. 

Example:  “March on Bahamaland” is the name 

of our national anthem.  

To increase the impact of their writing, 

writers often use familiar quotes or 

quotes from famous people to get the 

attention of the reader.  These quotes 

are set off by commas.  They begin 

with a capital letter and quite often a 

comma separates them from the rest 

of the sentence. 

Example:   

“It is better to give than to receive,” is 

advice that is worth following. 

Narrative writing tells a story or part of a 

story. Narrative writing can be seen in 

short stories, biographies, essays, 

autobiographies, poems, and plays. A 

narrative essay should have an 

introduction, body, and a conclusion. The 

general characteristics of a narrative 

include:  

 Characterization  

 Setting  

 Plot structure   

o Introduction  

o Development  

o Conclusion 

Characters are the people or animals in a 

story.  The protagonist is the word used to 

describe the hero. The antagonist is the 

villain in the story. Time should be spent 

developing descriptions of major 

characters.  Use specific words to 

describe some of their unique physical 

characteristics as they relate to their face, 

hair and body.  Also give insight into their 

character traits by detailing their actions 

and using interesting words. 

Examples:  

 Brave – bold, valiant

 Hostile – aggressive, combative 

 Determined – persistent, driven 

The setting is the time and place where 

the story takes place.  Use the senses to 

tell what can be seen, heard, felt, tasted, 

or smelled.   

Provide evidence of the time of day.  This 

can be stated clearly in the piece.  

Example:  It was exactly 9:00 a.m. when 

she opened the door to the office.   

It can also be left up to the reader to infer 

the time of day.  

Example:  The sun was directly overhead 

as they began their walk to the sandy 

beach.  

In the body of the writing, time should be 

taken to develop the plot.  The plot tells 

what the problem in the story is and how it 

is resolved.  This is the time to use action 

and dialogue to provide information about 

the characters. Sentences should be 

linked using transitions.  

The end of the story or conclusion wraps 

everything up. 

A descriptive essay is a group of 

paragraphs that can describe a person, 

place, event, or idea.  The author uses 

descriptive details, phrasing, and literary 

devices to make the writing come alive 

and make it easier for the reader to 

visualize what the writer is describing.   

A descriptive essay should have a 

captivating introduction that provides the 

reader with an overview of what the 

essay will be about.  The body of the 

essay should provide specific details 

about what is being described.  The 

writer should end with a concluding 

thought about the thing, place or person 

that was described.    

There are several strategies that authors 

use when writing descriptively.  The 

words that are used to describe, should 

be carefully selected so that they convey 

detailed images to the readers. 

 Show Me, Don’t Tell Me is a strategy 

that author’s use.  For example, 

instead of saying that a building is old 

and unkempt, author’s use words to show the condition. 

Example: 

Cobwebs hung over the ceiling 

above the creaky stairs and on the 

dusty windows that were peppered 

with tiny holes. 

 Sensory details are words used to 

appeal to the five senses.  

Example:  As I passed Mr. Sawyer’s 

house, there they were…  the 

biggest, sweetest, darkest, purple 

sea grapes in the world!  They hung 

in long, heavy clusters just over the 

wooden fence.  Like a magnet, I was 

drawn to them.  As I got closer to the 

tree, I stepped on a few that had 

fallen to the ground.  A dark, purple 

liquid oozed out of them causing a 

strong, fruity scent to fill the air. 

 Literary Devices are also used as a 

tool for making writing interesting.  

There are several of them that can be 

used. 

o Similes are comparisons that use 

like or as. Example:  He ran as fast as a hungry cheetah. 

o Metaphors are comparisons that 

do not use like or as. Example: 

David is a shining star in Science. 

o Alliteration:  Repeating the 

beginning consonant sound in two 

or more consecutive words. 

Example: Sally sold several silver 

Samsung phones on Saturday. 

o Onomatopoeia- These are words 

that are actual sounds. 

Examples:   Zoom, Oink, Urghh 

etc. 

o Hyperbole: This is an 

exaggeration. It is over 

emphasizing the truth or 

stretching the truth. Example: I 

am so hungry I can eat a 

thousand hamburgers! 

o Personification: Giving human 

qualities to non-human things. 

Example: After three rainy days, 

the sun smiled on us.

An expository essay explains, 

describes, and provides information 

about a particular topic.   

There are various kinds of patterns for 

expositions: 

Comparison and Contrast:  The 

writer contrasts the differences 

between two subjects and compares 

the similarities between those 

subjects. 

Description: The writer gives a 

complete description of the topic 

before explaining what the term or 

topic means. 

Sequence or Process: The process 

essay refers to the steps involved in 

completing something. Example: how 

to make an apple pie. 

Like the narrative essay, the 

expository essay has a beginning, 

middle and an end.  In the beginning the writer will grab 

the reader’s attention with an opening 

hook (Ask a question, provide action, 

sound, quotes etc.)  The reader is 

informed as to what will be explained 

or what information will be provided.  

In the middle the most important 

details are provided on the topic.  If 

steps in a process are being 

explained, words like first, next, then, 

last, finally etc. should be used as a 

guide to the steps. 

In the end, the essay can be wrapped 

up by stating the main idea in another 

way, providing final thoughts, advice 

etc.  

There are many examples of 

expository writing: 

 Flyers 

 Invitations 

 Encyclopaedia Entries 

 The Tribune/Nassau Guardian 

newspaper articles 

 Commercials  

 Reports Reviews 

 Want Ads 

 Classroom handout

Invitations are requests that are used to ask someone to attend a particular event. Examples of events include a birthday party, wedding, graduation, etc. When composing an invitation, include the following:  Name of invited person  Name of the event  Purpose or description of the event  Host(s) of the event  Date and Time  Location  Directions (if necessary)  Special instructions such as Dress Code (optional) RSVP details: Include deadline by which to respond and contact information. 

Friendly letters are written to our family and friends. The purpose of a friendly letter is to share a message with persons with whom we are familiar. Friendly letters should include the following:  The heading - This includes the address of the sender and the date. It is normally written in the right-hand corner at the top of the page.  Salutation or Greeting - This is the way to identify to whom the letter is being written. It usually begins with “Dear” A comma follows the name of the person.  The Body of the Letter – This is considered the main part of the letter. Include all the interesting details about family and friends and write about what you have been doing, your hobbies etc. You should indent the first sentence in each paragraph.  The Closing – This is a way of ending the letter or signing off. “Love” and “Your best friend” are examples that are used. The first word in the closing is always capitalized, and a comma is placed at 

the end of the closing. 

 Signature – This identifies the 

person who is writing the letter. 

There are many ways in which a letter 

can be sent to the recipient.  Letters can 

be posted using the Post Office, emailed, 

faxed, or sent via WhatsApp. 

If a letter is being sent the traditional way 

using the post office, it will need to be 

placed in an envelope.  On the envelope 

in the left-hand corner, should be the 

mailing address of the person sending 

the letter.  If the person lives in The 

Bahamas, the information should include 

the name of the sender, the mailing box 

number and the island and country. 

Example:   

Ms. Karen Green 

P.O. Box CB 11234 

Nassau, Bahamas. 

The address of the person who is to 

receive the letter is placed in the middle 

section of the envelope.

An opinion expresses a thought or 

feeling about a particular thing. 

Persuasive writing is a type of opinion 

writing, as it provides the author’s 

views on a particular topic. The essay 

should have an introduction, a body, 

and a conclusion. 

Introductory Paragraph:                

Begin the persuasive essay with an 

introductory statement that captures 

the attention of the readers.  Begin with 

a startling statement, a question, a 

metaphor or a simile.  

Examples:   

 Did you know that The Family 

Islands hold some of the best kept 

secrets in The Bahamas? 

 The broken glass in the road was 

as treacherous for the car’s tyres as 

a trap filled with cheese for a 

mouse. 

The introductory paragraph should also 

have a topic sentence that indicates 

the writer’s opinion on the topic and 

mention the supporting reasons that will be discussed in the paragraphs 

that follow. 

The Body of the Essay: This is where 

the writer develops the reasons to 

support his/her opinions.  Each 

paragraph in the body should represent 

one of those reasons with supporting 

evidence.    

Writers normally present their reasons 

in order of importance.  They begin 

with the most important reason to 

support their opinion and then present 

the others in descending order.  

Several persuasive techniques can be 

used to develop the body of the 

persuasive essay. 

Using Facts: Using information that is 

true to strengthen your position and 

explanations.  

Example: 

“Earth is considered the most valuable 

planet in the solar system. Billions of 

people live on Earth using its resources 

like oxygen, water and food sources. 

Therefore, I agree...” 

Generalizations: Using phrases to describe something that is accepted by 

all. 

Example: ‘all of my friends, ‘the entire 

team’, ‘nobody in grade five’ etc. 

Superlatives: Using phrases to 

describe the highest quality of 

something. 

Example:  'the greatest’, ‘the most’, ‘the 

best’ etc.  

Data: Writing with numbers, 

percentages, fractions, and quantities 

to make your explanations appear 

more believable. 

Example:    

Do you know that New Providence 

uses 11 million gallons of ground water 

per day? 

Appealing to the Emotions: Using 

phrases that pull on the emotions to 

convince 

Example: “I am your only child,” “You 

love me,” “Don’t you want me to be 

happy?”