Writing Tip: Composing Detailed Sentences

Okay…so you want your kids to write detailed sentences, right? But, as the saying goes, “the devil is in the details” for most kids. Here’s a good way to help them strike a balance.

For more expansive sentences, teach them to use the “Question Word” lineup in this order:

when, who, what, where, why, and how.

This is a great strategy to use for topic sentences. Now, you don’t have to cover all the question words for each sentence, but with a little practice, they will be cranking out excellent detailed sentences without loads of frustration.

Tip 1: Make sure they start with the "when" question.

Tip 2: Be sure to include the "what" question, as that will usually cover the verb/action.

Tip 3: The order of the other questions can change as needed.