If you are starting free writes now, try to follow each of these rules:
1. Write without stopping for 10 minutes.
2. When time is up, count the number of words you wrote and enter the total in your bar graph.
3. No English words in the story except for names.
4. Keep the sentences and story line simple.
5. Get your story idea ahead of time.
6. Use lists if you have them.
7. Use words that you already know.
8. If you don’t know a word, don’t use it (or reword the idea).
9. Using a brand name is a good bail out. Instead of “car” – if you don’t know that word – say “BMW.”
10. Use as many adjectives as possible.
11. Spell as accurately as you can and then move on. It’s not about the spelling, but about whether you can communicate an idea.
12. Add another character or event when you get stuck.
13. Use posters from the room as help.
14. Illogical stories are OK.
(When it’s time to start free writes, project the graph below to show students how their graphs are to be set up in their composition books):