From Struggling to Proficient Writer: 11 Steps for Teaching Expository Writing

Are you hoping to help your students become more proficient, confident writers? This book provides an innovative method for teaching expository writing to struggling students.

This 11-step method uses evidence-based practices in a systematic way to reach the needs of all students. The book covers each phase in the writing program, including pre-assessment and formative assessments; the 11 steps of writing an essay with aspects like thesis statements, body paragraphs, and conclusions. The book also details the different types of expository writing with an end goal of the Text Dependent Analysis (TDA) for college readiness. Finally, the author dives into common instructional challenges, such as writer burnout, plagiarism, AI, large class sizes, students who refuse to write, issues with voice and creativity, and more.

This is an ideal resource for any English Language Arts (ELA) teacher who is teaching expository writing in their classes or a school/district wanting to improve the writing competence of their students.

B. Scott Meaders is an eighth-grade ELA and writing teacher at Gruening Middle School in Eagle River, Alaska, and he has a combined 28 years of experience as an educator and professional development consultant across elementary, middle, and high school levels, primarily in Title I schools.