S.T.A.R.+Method

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 * S**ubstitute
 * T**ake things out
 * A**dd
 * R**earrange

With the students brainstorm specific actions a writer might undertake for each letter of the acronym. Here is an example from Gallagher:

(Substitute)** ||= **T (Take things out)** ||= **A (Add)** ||= **R (Rearrange)** ||
 * = **S
 * Replace:
 * overused words
 * weak verbs with strong verbs
 * weak adjectives with strong adjectives
 * common nouns with proper nouns
 * "dead" words || Take out:
 * unnecessary repetitions
 * unimportant or irrelevant information
 * parts that might belong in another piece || Add:
 * detail
 * description
 * new information
 * figurative language
 * development
 * clarification of meanings
 * expanded ideas || Rearrange:
 * the sequence to produce a desired effect
 * the order for a more logical flow ||

Gallagher stresses the importance of modeling this technique with your own writing. He argues that it is important for students to see your first draft writing, or unpolished writing, so they can see the process that good writers go through. If you show them only your finished product they will not understand that there is a long and hard process to go through before producing a good piece of writing.

(Gallagher)

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