How to Write a Third Grade Book

Writing a book can be a time-consuming project, and is usually rooted in passion for an idea. Transferring an idea from passion to project is not easy, but entirely possible. Beginning with a table of contents, then an outline and expanding into greater and more developed ideas is the precursor to the process that moves idea to finished product.

Instructions

1. Develop a table of contents--this can be the beginning of your outline. You can write a title for each chapter with subtitles depending on whether the book is fiction or non-fiction, or you can just write chapter titles. Books can have as few as three chapters for third-grade audiences, or as many as 10.

2. Develop an outline out of the table of contents by expanding on each area, bulleting more ideas under each chapter title and subtitle if you have subtitles. Give the ideas breadth and depth; think about the actions, any characters and how to make the ideas come to life.

3. Expand on the outline by adding in paragraphs in between ideas. Full paragraphs can expand out of subtitles too.

4. Begin writing the first chapter. When finished with it, despite how long it is (it could be a page, could be two or 10), re-read the outline to ensure you remained focused. Continue writing, because you'll get more ideas each time you review the outline. Use this process for each chapter--writing, reviewing the outline, writing some more.

5. Give the chapter to a third-grader to make sure it is kid-friendly. If it is a book for a third-grade teacher, find a third-grade teacher willing to review each chapter to ensure you're speaking the right language and using ideas that are supportive of third-grade teaching. If for a child, seek the child's input after its review to ensure it is readable and understandable for a third-grader. If it isn't, revise it and have him or her read it again.

6. When finished with all chapters, and having gone back-and-forth with a review of the outline, tweaking of it and writing the next chapter, turn it over to a trusted friend, relative or colleague to read and give you feedback. Or give it back to that third grader for another, final review.

7. Go over the draft in its entirety again, making revisions as you go along. Incorporate the feedback received from reviewers. Writing of any genre is a recursive process of revision, peer review, writing--in any order.

Tips & Warnings

• Have each chapter reviewed by a third grader, and make them different students if possible. If it is for a third-grade teacher, give each chapter to a different third-grade teacher if possible. This will validate the feedback you receive from them by providing you with a range of responses.

• Join an adult writing group, every community has them. They usually meet in libraries or local coffee shops to support each other in, and provide feedback for, their writing projects.

References

• Writeforkids.com: How to write a book