The Student Writing Process
A 17-step, 4-phase journey that guides students from choosing a subject to completing a polished research report — with Thea at their side every step of the way.
Four Phases at a Glance
Each phase builds on the last, guiding students from subject selection to a finished report.
Getting Ready
Choose your subject and predict topics
2 steps
Gathering Information
Find sources, take notes, and build your word bank
8 steps
Organizing Information
Sort your notes and create an outline
4 steps
Writing Your Report
Write, proofread, and finish your report
3 steps
Every Step Follows the Same Pattern
Students always know what to expect. Each of the 17 steps follows a consistent three-part structure.
Explanation
Thea explains what this step is and why it matters, in student-friendly language.
Example
Thea shows exactly what a finished version looks like, using her own loon research as a model.
Your Turn
Students complete the step themselves, applying what they just learned to their own subject.
Customized Feedback
After key steps, Thea reviews student work and offers encouragement and specific, constructive suggestions.
Ask Thea Chat
A floating chat button lets students ask Thea questions anytime. Teachers can enable or disable this per classroom.
Getting Ready
Choose your subject and predict topics
Before any research begins, students choose what they care about and activate prior knowledge. These two steps set the stage for engaged, self-directed learning.
Choose a Subject
FeedbackStudents own the process from the start by selecting what interests them
Type in a subject they want to research (animals work great for beginners).
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Explanation
The first thing every research writer needs is a subject to study. Pick something you find interesting. An animal makes a great first-time subject! Write your subject in the box below.
Example
My subject is Common Loons. Common Loons are beautiful birds that live on lakes, and I can't wait to learn more about them!
Predict Topics
FeedbackActivates prior knowledge and creates a mental framework for research
Brainstorm 2–6 topic categories they expect to find about their subject.
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Explanation
Now predict some topics you might find when you research your subject. Ask yourself: 'What kinds of information might I find about my subject?' These topics will help you later when you sort your notes. You should have between 2 and 6 topics.
Example
My subject is Common Loons. I predicted topics like Homes, Food, and Family. These are the kinds of information I might find when I read about loons. The topics about any animal subject will look a lot like these.
Gathering Information
Find sources, take notes, and build your word bank
The longest phase. Students learn to find and evaluate sources, extract key ideas into notes, apply higher-order thinking (reasons and comparisons), and build vocabulary — all before writing a single sentence.
Find & Name Sources
FeedbackTeaches source evaluation and citation tracking from day one
Find books or websites, evaluate them, and assign short initials for tracking.
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Explanation
Look for information in books, websites, or any source about your subject. You should have at least 2 sources. Look for a Table of Contents to find chapters you might want to read, check for pictures, and look for key topic words in the Index. Give each source a short name using its initials so you can track where your notes come from.
Example
I found a book called Loon Magic for Kids. I looked for my loon topics in the Table of Contents, flipped through pages to find helpful pictures, and checked the Index. I named this source 'LMFK' using the first letters of the title.
Take Notes
FeedbackAsk TheaDevelops the critical skill of extracting key ideas without copying sentences
Write one key idea per note card in their own words, tagging each with a source.
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Explanation
Read your sources and write down key ideas, one idea per note card. Do not write notes in sentences! Write only the key idea in your own words. Later, when you write your report, you will turn these key ideas into your own sentences. Mark which source each note came from.
Example
On my first note card I wrote only one idea about loons: 'dive deep for fish.' My note has no subject in it, and my note is not a sentence, just the key idea. I wrote the source initials 'LMFK' so I know where this fact came from.
Think of Reasons
FeedbackBuilds causal reasoning — Taba's 'why does this matter?' thinking
Read each note and ask 'For what reason is this important?', marking notes where they find one.
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Explanation
Read one note at a time and ask yourself: 'For what reason is this important?' When you can think of a reason, mark that note. Often you won't think of a reason. That's okay! Just move on to the next note. Your reasons must make sense, must be true, and must not be silly.
Example
I read my note 'fly south for the winter' and asked 'For what reason?' I thought of loons needing open water for food, and how northern lakes freeze over with ice each winter. That's an important reason because it helps explain why loons migrate!
Choose Reasons
Practices evaluation and selection of strongest supporting evidence
Select 4–5 of their strongest reasons to use in the final report.
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Explanation
Now look at all your notes that have reasons. Choose 4 or 5 of the strongest reasons that you want to use in your report. Pick the reasons that best help you explain your notes to your readers.
Example
I picked up my notes that had reasons and re-read them to refresh my memory. Then I chose 4 or 5 reasons that would best help me explain my notes to my readers when I write my paper.
Think of Likenesses & Differences
FeedbackDevelops comparative thinking — a higher-order Taba strategy
Read each note and ask 'Like or unlike what?', noting similarities and differences.
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Explanation
Read one note at a time and ask: 'Like or unlike what?' Think of other things that are similar to or different from your subject. Often you won't think of a comparison. That's okay! Just move on. Your comparisons must make sense, must be true, and must not be silly.
Example
I read my note 'Loons run on water to fly' and asked 'Like or unlike what?' I couldn't think of a water bird that runs on water to fly, so I thought of sea gulls. Unlike sea gulls, loons have to run across the water to take off! That's an interesting difference.
Choose Likenesses & Differences
Curates comparisons for rhetorical impact
Select 2–3 best comparisons to include in their writing.
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Explanation
Look at all your notes that have likenesses or differences. Choose your best 2 or 3 comparisons to use in your report. Pick the ones that would best help explain your notes to your readers. Your comparisons must make sense, must be true, and must not be silly.
Example
I re-read my notes with comparisons and thought about each one carefully. Then I chose 2 or 3 comparisons that were the most interesting and would best help me explain my notes to my readers.
Build Synonym Bank
FeedbackExpands vocabulary and prevents repetitive writing
Build a word bank of subject synonyms, action verbs, nouns, and adjective-noun pairs.
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Explanation
Good writers use different words for their subject so readers don't get bored. Build a bank of synonyms: other words you can use instead of repeating your subject's name. Think of subject synonyms (other names), action verbs (what your subject does), other nouns (what your subject is), and adjective-noun pairs (describing words paired with a name). These will make your report much more interesting for your readers!
Example
My subject is Common Loons. For subject synonyms I wrote: divers, water birds. For action verbs: swim, dive, fly. I turned those into naming nouns like 'swimmers' and 'divers.' For other nouns: birds, parents, water fowl, creatures. For adjective-noun pairs: beautiful divers, loyal parents, ancient birds.
Choose Synonyms
Teaches restraint — using variety without confusing the reader
Select 4–5 synonyms from their bank to use throughout their report.
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Explanation
Now choose 4 or 5 synonyms from your list to use when you write your report. Be careful! Using too many synonyms might confuse your readers. Pick a variety of your best words, and you'll use them when it's time to write.
Example
I listed more synonyms than I should use. Too many would make my report confusing! So I chose 4 or 5 favorites: a mix of different kinds of synonyms. I'll check off each one as I use it in my report.
Organizing Information
Sort your notes and create an outline
Students move from a pile of notes to a structured outline. They classify, sequence, and title their work — developing the organizational thinking that makes coherent writing possible.
Sort Notes by Topic
FeedbackInductive classification — grouping related ideas into categories
Compare notes two at a time, asking 'Related or unrelated?', and sort into topic groups.
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Explanation
Time to organize! Read two notes and ask: 'Related or unrelated?' When notes are about the same thing, they belong in the same topic. Sort all your notes into topic groups. These groups will become the paragraphs of your report and help organize your ideas in a way that makes sense to your readers.
Example
I held two notes side by side and asked 'Related or unrelated?' When they were related, I named them with a topic and stacked them together. My first few loon notes grouped into two topics: Family and Homes. My Food note was alone at first, but that's okay. It became its own topic!
Outline Topics
Develops organizational thinking and logical flow
Arrange topic groups in the order readers should encounter them.
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Explanation
Arrange your topics in the order you want your readers to read about them. Think about what makes a good flow. What should your readers learn first? What's a strong way to end? This creates your outline.
Example
My loon notes sorted into three topics: Homes, Food, and Family. I decided to begin with Homes to tell where loons live, then Food to tell about the fish they eat, and finally Family to tell about loons raising cute chicks each summer.
Number Notes
Creates a detailed writing plan within each topic
Number notes within each topic to set the sentence order for writing.
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Explanation
Within each topic, arrange your notes in the order that makes sense. Read your notes, think about which idea should come first, and number them. This creates your detailed outline. When you write your report, you'll follow this order!
Example
I spread out my Topic 1 notes and read them. I arranged them in an order that makes sense to my readers and numbered them 1 through 6. Then I moved to Topic 2 and continued numbering from 7. When I finished, every note had a number and I knew exactly what order to write them in.
Write a Title
FeedbackPractices audience awareness and creative expression
Write a title that names the subject and hints at the report's perspective.
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Explanation
Every report needs a great title! Your title should name your subject for your readers. It can also catch their attention, give them a hint about your subject, or tell them what you think of it.
Example
I titled my report to name my subject, Common Loons. I also wanted to tell my readers that I think loons are pretty wonderful, so my title gives a hint of how amazing they are!
Writing Your Report
Write, proofread, and finish your report
With a clear outline in hand, students transform their research into polished prose. They write paragraph by paragraph, then systematically proofread their own work.
Write Your Report
FeedbackAsk TheaTransforms organized research into connected prose
Follow the outline, turning numbered notes into sentences and paragraphs. Weave in reasons, comparisons, and synonyms.
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Explanation
You're ready to write! An expository report tells about something or someone, organized into topics. Follow your outline and write one paragraph for each topic, turning your numbered notes into sentences with your own words. Remember to include your reasons, comparisons, and synonyms to make your writing interesting!
Example
I wrote notes 1–6 in sentences about Topic 1, the Homes of Loons. Then I started a new paragraph for Topic 2, the Families of Loons. My third paragraph used notes 13–20 to tell about the Food of Loons. I made sure to use my reasons, comparisons, and synonyms throughout!
Proofread
Develops self-editing skills through systematic review
Read sentence by sentence, answering proofreading questions about each one.
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Explanation
We proofread to find our own mistakes. Read your report carefully, sentence by sentence. Ask yourself questions about each one. Does it stay on topic? Does it make sense? Reading slowly and thoughtfully helps you find and fix your own mistakes.
Example
I read my first sentence and asked myself all the proofreading questions. I fixed my mistakes, then moved to the next sentence and asked the same questions again. Reading slowly helped me catch mistakes my eyes would have missed if I'd been reading quickly.
Finished!
Celebrates completion and builds writing confidence
Review their finished report and celebrate the accomplishment.
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Explanation
Congratulations! You've completed your report using the Write with Thea process. You should be very proud of your work!