Improving writing skills-teens

[shortbun]

I need help and recommendations regarding software, websites or other that my 14yo son can work with to improve his use of punctuation, parts of speech and sentence construction. His writing is creative, well researched but often in need of major editing for capitalization, punctuation and correct word usage or parts of speech like prepostions. Any ideas? He's headed to high school and I'd like him to do a little extra writing work this summer.
Thanks!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I wish I could remember but I asked that of my 7th grade dd's teacher because my dd is also a creative writer.

She did speak of several software programs available. Perhaps you can ask your ds's language arts teacher.

My dd is taking a writing class over the summer and staying in a dorm for 3 weeks to improve her skills. You are right to look outside of school.

 

[golfgal]

Check with his English teacher now and see if s/he has any recommendations for tutors. Also, your school district might have online programs he can use. If you can get a hold of the Warner's grammar books we had in school I still think that is the best way to learn (outside of doing a lot of reading).

 

[dawson5]

I love my neighbor. She spent countless hours with my son last time he had a project due. He usually gets D's on these and received a B+ this time. A huge improvement for him. She offered to help him because this is what she does for a living (corporate writing and editing). If you want, I can send you the basic process she put in an email for him to follow. It might not help with the punctuation or spelling but it helps put things in order.

 

[laurie31]

I reccommend The Shurley Method. https://www.shurley.com/

 

[shortbun]

I heard of a book called "Eats, Shoots, Leaves" that is about punctuation mostly and clever. Anyone used it?

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

"Eats, Shoots, and Leaves" is a great book, but probably not what will work for your son. The Painless series is fairly good for kids his age. You could also look at books like Grammar: The Easy Way. They're standard workbooks. You read a section, do the practice questions, and evaluate your work. He would have to be a bit of a self-starter.

If he's more tech-savy, I would suggest listening to some of Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Grammar podcasts.

Finally, there are many grammar and style websites with exercises out there. Google "grammar exercises" or the specific grammar issue you want to work on to find the materials.

 

[LisaR]

Does he need help with grammar - understanding punctuation, periods, etc or does he just need help editing his papers?

My son has a great grasp of grammar but when he finishes a paper, he misses his mistakes. It isn't a lack of grammar knowledge.

If you son needs grammar help, the Easy Grammar series may help him:

http://www.easygrammar.com/index2.html

If he needs editing help, Fix It Grammar & Editing Made Easy is great:

http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/FIX

 

[Cindy B]

I heard of a book called "Eats, Shoots, Leaves" that is about punctuation mostly and clever. Anyone used it?

Great book but it has a lot of dry sarcastic humor that is a bit above teens. There is a Eats Shoots and Leaves for kids (my daughters English teacher had it) which is more "direct" in its approach.

There are many opportunities to enrich writing skills. First, get him away from writing in texting-internet speak-- that is one of the worst ways to forget conventional writing skills.

Sometimes we play "What's wrong with this?" games. I find misspelled signs, wrong punctuation on advertisements and I have the kids try to figure it out. That makes it a bit more fun.

There are some online games and tutorials. Ask your Language Arts teacher if your school subscribes to Study Island. That is a computer based training program which is closely aligned to specific states assessment based testing.

If you go into teaching supply stores, there are always all types of workbooks and materials that might work as well.