Writing sample of a ten percent summary and colins writing

Riverside Middle School

Guide To Reading and Writing

What is Collins Writing?

Collins writing is a program that incorporates writing everyday into each subject area. This framework allows students to begin to develop a point of view on a variety of topics which, in turn, encourages them to begin the process of becoming a "free-thinking" individual.

There are 5 types of writing associated with this program. Types 1-5 are commonly used in all classes. Here is an overview of all 5 types. Refer to the poster on the left.


Type 1: brief, timed, "brainstorm" of ideas. Students can use type 1 writings in any class as an opening, as a way for teachers to see background knowledge, to check for understanding, or independently for a brainstorm while writing.
Example: (used in a 7th grade Social Studies class) List the top 5 inventions of the twentieth century.

   Type 2:    5-7 minute written response to a question. Students may see type 2 writings as a mini quiz, as a way to expand upon ideas, to check for understanding, or to create a quick draft of a writing.
Example: (used in a 6th grade math class) Explain the difference between an expression and an equation. Give an example of each.

Type 3: a type 2 writing with 3 specific FCAs (or focus correction areas- specifically areas students should address while writing). Students should read these aloud when they have completed writing to check that all FCAs are met. Students can be asked to underline/ circle/ number items that are asked for in the FCA to allow for a quick check that directions were followed.
Example: (used in a 6th grade reading class) Identify and describe one character trait to describe both Juan Verdades and the Vacqueros described in today’s selection. Use at least one detail from each selection to support your answer and explain them. (Circle your text examples and underline their explanations.)
FCAs: Appropriate character trait: _____/1
Circled examples from two different texts: _____/2
Underlined explained text details: _____/2

Type 4: a type 3 writing with 3 specific FCAs that is peer-edited. Multiple drafts should be created. Students peer edit while sitting "shoulder to shoulder" to focus on one piece of writing at a time. Students are urged to read the writing multiple times allowing for multiple revisions.

Type 5: a type 4 peer-edited writing with 3 specific FCAs that is published and error free.

(Information provided by the Collins Writing Program and Penn Literacy Network)

Collins Ten Percent Summary
The Ten Percent Summary- created by the Collins Writing Program- is a way to have students summarize any passage. Summary length should be roughly 10% of the word count of the original passage. This can be utilized by any class for any passage.

Students use a formula (“T” S AT) for an introduction then chunk the article into central ideas. Please refer to the sample student worksheet below.
(Information provided by the Collins Writing Program)

The following Ten Percent Summary student worksheet is a free resource from the Collins website:
(Information provided by the Collins Writing Program)

Please click here to visit the Collins Webpage.

Additional free re   sources for Collins Writing can be found here.

Below is a sample of an adjusted Collins Writing assignment used for a grammar assessment.