Teaching Secondary Students to Write Effectively

English 

language 

arts

Freytag 

Pyramid/

plot diagram 

strategy

An English language arts teacher models using a Freytag pyramid to 

diagram the plot of a story she is writing. To structure her diagram, 

she follows a framework that includes an exposition or introduction, 

rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution or conclusion. 

She discusses how she might complete each section, using a book 

the class recently read together as an example. Students then select 

a book to read independently and are asked to produce a plot diagram 

to analyze the structure and story.

Science

Rank the 

evidence 

strategy

A science teacher models using evidence and statistics to support 

a position paper on deforestation. He discusses how he identified 

sources for his research and then ranks the supporting evidence he 

collected to support his claim, designating the strongest and most 

convincing evidence. Students spend the week conducting research 

and collecting supporting evidence for their own position papers. 

Students then work with a partner to rank each other’s evidence and 

discuss how to craft a strong argument for their position papers.