10 Things Every Writer Needs to Know

by Jeff Anderson

Whether writing a blog entry or a high-stakes test essay, fiction or nonfiction, short story or argumentation, students need to know certain things in order to write effectively. In 10 Things Every Writer Needs to Know, Jeff Anderson focuses on developing the concepts and application of ten essential aspects of good writing―motion, models, focus, detail, form, frames, cohesion, energy, words, and clutter. Throughout the book, Jeff provides dozens of model texts, both fiction and nonfiction, that bring alive the ten things every writer needs to know. By analyzing strong mentor texts, young writers learn what is possible and experiment with the strategies professional writers use. Students explore, discover, and apply what makes good writing work. Jeff dedicates a chapter to each of the ten things every writer needs to know and provides mini-lessons, mentor texts, writing process strategies, and classroom tips that will motivate students to confidently and competently take on any writing task. With standardized tests and Common Core Curriculum influencing classrooms nationwide, educators must stay true to what works in writing instruction. 10 Things Every Writer Needs to Know keeps teachers on track―encouraging, discovering, inspiring, reminding, and improving writing through conversation, inquiry, and the support of good writing behaviors.

Genres: Education, Professional Development, Teaching, Writing, Nonfiction, School, Reference

302 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Librarians note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this little gem this past weekend at a local library. $0.25 is a great bargain for this book, yet I would happily buy it for $25.00 as well.

As a teacher, I appreciate the directives, lessons, appendices, and visuals within these pages. Already I'm using it in further developing my own composition writing prompts and class instruction, and I've observed students responding favorably to some of the little changes I've introduced so far. By all means, though, this is not only for teachers and college students. All people and all writers can benefit from practicing their craft by taking ideas from this book.

Normally l do not list the books I read for school or professional development on Goodreads, but I've chosen to post this because of my many friends here who are teachers or writers. I haven't rated this because it is valuable only if it is used. Please read and use this book!

[Tiffany Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing. From the spot-on quotes, to the well-researched mentor texts, to the ready-to-use lessons and ideas for the classroom, Jeff Anderson is a true inspiration. His ideas and unorthodox approach to teaching is what forced me to change my thinking on the way things have always been done. It's because of him that my classroom is run by my students and I act as a guide, allowing students to discover, notice, imitate, and celebrate instead of me standing up in front of the class lecturing (aka teaching). {Cue flashback to Charlie Brown's teacher talking in her wah-wah-wah tones}

The other beauty of this book is the fact that it so easily combines writing and reading, making it so that you can hardly notice whether you are teaching reading or writing lessons. They are so beautifully intertwined, as they should be, and really drive home the point to use authentic writing to teach how it's done and done well.

I've read all of Jeff Anderson's work, and I will look forward to any of his new work, and maybe even one day have the opportunity to meet him and thank him for his dedication, hard work, and for making me realize that my classroom could be and NEEDED to be run in a similar way.

[Jackalynn Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oozing flesh and monsters who dine on brains are not the first things that come to mind when one considers senior-level academic writing, but for Max, that is what made it happen. Max was a student who did not love school. Max did love zombies. Hours on the computer were spent happily watching zombie movies or slaying zombies in a video game. Writing research papers was not as much Max’s thing. If he wanted to pass senior English, however, writing a research paper was what Max needed to do.
Jeff Anderson’s book "Ten Things Every Writer Needs to Know" aims to prepare teachers to motivate and inspire students to write by teaching concepts and strategies rather than just explaining. In chapter eight, Anderson states that student choice with topics is important. “With choice often comes passion, authority, and force” (Anderson, loc. 3267). In Max’s case, this proved true. Max had not been motivated to write a word earlier in the semester, but when he was allowed to research the scientific possibility of zombies becoming a reality, he was fueled by passion to create an epic piece of writing. Suddenly, zombie flicks and games ceased to be the only purpose of his laptop. The pride that Max exuded turning in that paper (along with the fact that he was able to graduate from high school) are a testament that at least one of the many strategies within the pages of this book is effective.
"Ten Things Every Writer Needs to Know" is organized into ten writing strategies which, employed by teachers, should improve student writing. The “things” every writer needs to know are: Motion: Getting and Keeping Writers Motivated, Models: Using Mentor Texts, Focus: Narrowing the Scope, Detail: Selecting the Concrete and the Necessary, Form: Organizing and Structuring Ideas, Frames: Exploring Introductions and Conclusions, Cohesion: Unifying the Whole, Energy: Creating Rhythm and Style, Words: Crafting Precise Diction, and Clutter: Deleting the Extraneous. Anderson begins each chapter with a narrative tale or a descriptive comparison, defines the skill, provides a mentor text demonstrating the skill, and explains with clear details using sample dialogue to illustrate how he presents the strategies to actual students. The text is peppered with thematic quotes by famous authors. The most useful element of the book are the charts and teaching guides that educators can use to recreate the lessons.
The writing strategies in "Ten Things Every Writer Needs to Know" contrasts with some other well known and more traditional modes of instruction. In the book Best Practices In Writing Instruction, writing strategies such as goal setting, planning, seeking information, record keeping, organizing, and self-monitoring are encouraged (Graham, MacArthur, & Hebert). These techniques hone in on student behaviors and the more technical and academic parts of the writing process. Anderson’s approach is more casual and interactive. Chapter Two touts model texts as a strategy, but in actuality the entire book centers around model texts as a basis for all writing instruction. The process through which students are guided is: read it, analyze it, do what the author did. Anderson expands upon these three simple steps by applying them to each of the ten writing tactics and providing clear and active tasks which student writers can employ to master the skills. In Chapter Three, students identify focus by writing one-word summaries of passages. In Chapter Four, students seek out effective sensory details in a description of a place, and they write their own description of a place utilizing sensory details. In Chapter Six, students categorize leads, recognize why they like something, and then try creating their own similar lead. Some of Anderson’s strategies are reminiscent of the old-school methods, especially in Chapter Five which focuses on Form and Chapter Seven which explores Cohesion. Anderson updates the craft by connecting to student interests by using popular movies and TV shows as examples of genre and likening writing connectivity to internet connectivity.
As a Drama teacher as well as an English teacher, I found Chapter Eight: Energy: Creating Rhythm and Style to be the most interesting. Anderson encourages his students to see writing as a performance. “Be bold. Be confident. Entertain me!” (Anderson, loc. 2910). He emphasizes the role of the audience in effective writing. “Strong writers keep the audience in mind--reaching out to them by electrifying their prose with pacing--surging, ebbing, flowing, getting louder, softer, faster, slower” (Anderson, loc. 2997). His energy in expressing the importance of energy reminds me of why I love reading, writing, and theatre and inspires me to instill that joy in my students.
This connection to performance makes the most tasteless part of writing more palatable as well. Chapter Ten: Clutter: Deleting the Extraneous reminds us that we cannot just write something and leave it as it is, we need to clear out the clutter. “Getting rid of the clutter gives writing due space: space for thought, space for readers to soak in what’s important, space for what matters most. When we clear out the clutter, our best thoughts surface and shine” (Anderson, loc. 3913). Annoyingly, clearing the clutter is not always fun. Thinking of it as a performance, however, may increase the level of enjoyment. In On Writing, George V. Higgins states, “You will find, to your delight, that reading your own work aloud, even silently, is the most astonishingly easy and reliable method that there is for achieving economy in prose, efficiency of description, and narrative effect as well." Anderson agrees, instructing students to read their work aloud as a method of revision. He also offers simple suggestions like deleting unnecessary and repeated words and forming new verb endings which can clean up a piece of writing more quickly.
Throughout "Ten Things Every Writer Needs to Know," I imagined implementing each idea with my own students in my own classroom. It would not be possible to allot time for every exercise and discussion within the burgeoning and demanding English Language Arts Curriculum, but there are many ideas within this text which would fit tidily within both reading and writing standards. New teachers will find this resource helpful in its explicit detail, and busy, experienced teachers will appreciate the ready-made sample texts. I would also recommend this book to novice writers who would like to improve their craft as well as to college students. Overall, I found this book to be a practical, realistic, and engaging resource which would serve a student writer well, even in the zombie apocalypse.

Works Cited:
Anderson, Jeff. Ten Things Every Writer Needs to Know. Stenhouse Publishers, 2011.
Higgins, George V. On Writing. Henry Holt, 1990.
Graham, Steve et al. Best Practices in Writing Instruction, Third Edition. Guilford Publications, 2019.

Hartley, J., Sotto, E., & Fox C., Clarity Across the Disciplines: An Analysis of Texts in the
Sciences, Social Sciences, and Arts and Humanities, Science Communication, 26(2),
pp. 188-210, 2004.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first ordered this book in May my goal was to read a little bit and then leave it on my desk waiting for me until the came back to school; however, this book was too good to leave behind all summer. I found a lot of the writing ideas and strategies very useful and will add them to my teaching strategies. I found a lot of the information very applicable to to teaching high school students or could even be simplified and applied to middle school students: the principles and strategies presented here could be adjusted to any class or level of learning.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource for any upper elementary/middle grade teachers who teach reading and writing. Other content area specialists can and should weave skills from this text into their teaching so students can better communicate their learning. This book assisted with the creation of an outline for my teaching of writing throughout the school year.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by Jeff Anderson, though after reading many books by Kelly Gallagher and Jeff Anderson and hearing them both speak at a conference, every idea wasn't brand new to me, but I always walk away with ideas.

[Tjerria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Jeff Anderson is forever a good reference to use for English teaching practices. He makes it so simple to follow. I reference this book when it is time to incorporate writing into a unit. I love how there are examples of model sentences and excerpts for students to practice imitating for perfect writing skills.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

10 Things Every Writer... is a useful tool for teachers to help them create better writers. Not all the chapters are created equal, and some of the mentor texts used are outdated or unrelatable to students, as this was published in 2012. There are plenty of good ideas and insights within, though, just make sure to adapt text suggestions for your students, as any good teacher would.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I'm already trying to think of ways to use next year.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crisp, clear, and practical with ideas that every teacher of writing can use!

[Evelyn B. Schwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my summer professional read. Lots of notes in the margin and starred paragraphs. Loved the mentor text examples and the quotes found throughout the book.

[Paul Hankins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I added a new shelf for Jeff Anderson's newest title. After all, Jeff Anderson is a thought leader. He has proven this with his books Mechanically Inclined and Everyday Editing (which I am happy to say was signed by the man himself during the AllWrite Conference in the Summer of 2011--thanks, Jeff!).

But more than this, Jeff Anderson is able to pull from multiple works and sources to create something very workable for teachers who pick up the new book. I think this is what Jeff does best--create teacher/writer-ready works that should be part of any teacher's personal professional development library.

Here, Jeff has taken ten items (who doesn't like a good list)and developed each into a chapter that provides that element and examples of that element in action, all the while peppering in suggested titles that a teacher might pull in to use with that particular element. This is no easy task with the number of titles released to Jeff's demographic (middle grade) AND young adult, but Jeff does this with seeming ease.

Ever the scholar and respecter of creative property, Jeff Anderson is careful to cite any source and to give credit to where his ideas are spring forth. But when Jeff reminds of writing elements such as Classical Invention, it's like we are hearing this for the first time and we are so appreciative of his having shared it.

I want you to look at this text, so I won't offer the list of ten elements here, but I do want to showcase the first chapter, MOTION, to give you an idea of what Jeff does with each element.

First, Jeff begins with an anecdote from his own personal or professional experience. Jeff is--foremost--a professional story keeper and story teller who is able to use the power of story to find a writing lesson within what might seem to be an everyday experience to most.

Immediately, Jeff Anderson frames the element in a box called MAKING MODELS WORK. The following chapters each have this approach Making _______ Work. This is a nice inclusion as it helps to frame the chapter, allowing plenty of forecasting, development, and pause for reflection on each of the tools that make the particular element work.

In the MOTION chapter, Jeff shows the reader with side by side tables how reader/writers can approach writing in much the same manner as a scientist would approach a new problem or project. Jeff's ability to draw these kinds of similarities demonstrates his ability to cross content areas to make for a user-friendly text regardless of subject matter.

Plenty of pull-outs and reproducibles make 10 THINGS ready for the classroom. The new book will no doubt be a hit for those familiar with Jeff's other works or for those who have heard Jeff speak in person.


**Added Elements Since My November Reading of 10 THINGS EVERY WRITER NEEDS TO KNOW**

I am going back through Jeff's book before the summer and summer planning for 2012-2013 begins. I like that Jeff provides a framework and I like that Jeff does not provide an order.

So I am thinking about that group of students he talks about in the beginning of the book. How do I reach those, under the assumption that they will not have much in the way of anything that looks like the "ten things." Can the "ten things" be arranged in a way that would make good pedagogical sense for these students? Of course, all of these questions are stemming from Jeff's statement that many of these students are left to the kind of approaches that research proves does not work to improve reading and writing.

So, this morning. . .this Derby morning. . .I am thinking about starting out with MOTION, MODELS, and ENERGY. Both MODELS and ENERGY will stay with us through each of the four marking periods. Using Energy and MODELS with each marking period will afford us the ability to focus on two thing per marking period with MODELS (mentor texts) and ENERGY (identifying what works).

In the second marking period, I'd like to look at FRAMES(the types and limits of the type) which would allow for a genre study before the end of the first semester) and FOCUS (which will introduce revision of the pieces we generate in the first marking period). With this approach, the students would be moving through MOTION, MODELS (X2), ENERGY (X2), FRAMES, and FOCUS. When we move into the research project in the third nine weeks we can begin to pick up on the other elements presented and offered by Jeff as approaches.

Certainly, I am not looking to complicate--or even reorder--Jeff's approach, but I am looking at the elements in a way that sets a purpose for Room 407. What needs to be always? What needs to be introduced at specific times? What words do students need to be using in the fourth marking period regarding writing that they will take with them into their senior year?

So, this is where I am on Derby Day 2012. . .re-reading. . .re-structuring. . .re-flecting. . .

[Lindsay Bowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical strategies that can be immediately implemented in the classroom!

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second Jeff Anderson book I've read. I enjoy how he shares the interactions he and his students have in his classroom. He uses dialogue to show how he teaches and how his students learn. In this bulky tome, he shares some great models, anti-models, lessons, activities, and handouts that can help move students from a first draft attempt to a polished, revised piece. The book is structured to move from the basics like generating ideas and using mentor texts to getting rid of clutter and choosing effective words. Although the back of this books says grades 3-9 will benefit, I think my 10th graders could benefit from quite a few of his teaching techniques and examples.

Anderson includes excerpts from many mentor texts that he uses to inspire his students. To give his students a contrasting "anti" example, he also rewrites some of these passages with redundant wordings, unfocused sentences, or lazy, unimaginative words. His rationale is grounded in Marzano's research that says students learn from contrasts, and I have to say it seems very effective. I've shared good mentor texts with my students before, but I've yet to intentionally rewrite them poorly, so that students can easily see what works and what doesn't in writing.

This book is filled catchy acronyms, mnemonic devices, charts, math connections, and like I already mentioned, handy mentor texts, many of which are informational. A bibliography collects all of these titles, and an appendix holds many pre-made handouts for mini-lesson activities.

My one complaint about this book is its physical size. The large pages have 2-inch margins that are occasionally peppered with a quote related to that chapter's "thing" writers need to know. I would have preferred smaller pages and a list of those quotes at the end of the chapter. It was a chore to read such a bulky book. I started it in July and didn't finish it until now, the end of September. I guess what's good about that, is you can pick this book up, put down, and return to it without missing a beat. You could probably just skip around to whichever of the 10 things you are most interested in. I read the book in order, but that's just my personality.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Jeff Anderson. He is such a genius when it comes to writing instruction. I wish I had his skill and organization for planning lessons.

I loved the thought and effort he put behind this book and there were some amazing ideas that I will definitely use. But I found myself getting a tad overwhelmed while reading this book and realizing that you have to be meticulously organized to teach writing the way Jeff does. I honestly have no idea how he keeps track of all those mentor texts and passages he uses with his students.

I love Jeff's ideas and would love to be a student in his class and while this book contains invaluable information, it tended to overwhelm me at times.

[Stephanie Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent ready to go mini writing lessons with loads of mentor texts sprinkled throughout. I am often at a loss to teach revision and feel I do a poor job. I feel excited and confident to try out his approaches next year! He clearky knows how to break things down into understandable chunks for kids. Stand outs include the lessons on energy and removing clutter. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of full page versions of all graphics in the appendix- most helpful for photocopying. I plan to have kids glue some of these into their writers notebooks as we work through them together.

[Lindsey Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a curriculum specialist, this book makes me want to go back to the classroom! I love Anderson's approach to writing. This book provides practical ideas for teaching writing, particularly in middle-high school. Anderson also provides excellent excerpts for mentor texts. The strategies in this book lend themselves well to the implementation of the Common Core State Standards and Writers Workshop modules. This text would make a nice addition to any professional development library. I will definitely be stealing and sharing ideas gained from this book in upcoming p.d. With teachers!

[Syd L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful guide by Jeff Anderson. 10 Things is wonderful because it combines general writing rules with specific grammatical tools and concrete ways to teach revision. I especially loved the questions to guide students during their revision processes. The appendix has an abundance of resources ready for any teacher to use. There is nothing particularly revolutionary about the 10 Things themselves besides the fact that they are consolidated into a short list. All writing teachers would benefit from seeing if they are teaching their students these skills.

[Alex Templeton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anderson believes that reading and writing go together, and that in order to become better writers students need to read and discuss "mentor texts"--texts that demonstrate the skill in question. I have known for a long time that reading a lot has made me a better writer, and that discussing reading in the classroom makes students better writers; Anderson writes about specific ways I can bring this understanding into the classroom.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought-provoking and turned some cool ideas around in my head about teaching writing and revising with students.
Geared more towards MS teachers, and I do NOT appreciate or enjoy Anderson's weaving in of his own classroom, students, and teaching with the techniques. I'm looking for a more straightforward, less fluffy text that I can utilize. Still, glad I read it. I'm tearing it apart for ideas for AP Lit this sem.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you teach writing, you MUST read this book. Four ladies from our district were able to attend Jeff Anderson's workshop this summer. He is absolutely amazing! He has his audience participate in many writing activities during the workshop. Even though he is a high school teacher, he provides ideas and activities that can be easily modified to fit any grade level.

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clearly written guide to the top ten most important aspects of teaching writing. Note that giving students choices for what to do once done with work during independent writing blocks is very important. Make this choices engaging and allow creativity, for example Mad Lib style, articles for blogs, marketing campaigns, etc.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this book for teachers who are in need of short, easy mini lessons to help students improve their writing across the board at all grade levels. I felt some chapters pertained more to K-8 teachers and HS English teachers but there are definitely ideas I can take from this book to use with content area teachers looking to improve their students writing.

[Lesiah Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Anderson has a way of simplifying teaching so that it engages students and helps them reach their personal potential. For teachers who teach struggling students, this book provides strategies that are simple and can be easily modified to fit your students. #AndersonRocks

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend for anyone who wants the nitty-gritty on how to actually gets students to work with the skills of writing. I'm going to be blending this with Write Like This for my curriculum for Composition this year.

[Sadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Jeff Anderson has managed to solidify essential strategies that can help me to become a better teacher of writing. Thank you. I was really motivated to continue reading because on every page there was a solid technique or idea that I could take back to my classroom.

[JoEllen Mccarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual loved the tips from one of my favorite mentors. He truly is "the write guy". Must have read for educators. I continue to be inspired by Jeff's work.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Jeff's other books, this one is highly practical and readable. Lots of great ideas for teaching writing--and focused around concepts that matter.

[Krisanne Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

lots of great ideas!

[Angela Garwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! Full of usable lessons and model texts/examples ready to be implemented in the classroom!!