Types of Writing Teaching Resources
Explore the different types of writing with your students this school year with printable RACES writing strategy worksheets, constructed response activities, graphic organizers and more teacher resources created by teachers for teachers.
This collection of curriculum-aligned teaching resources has been carefully reviewed by our expert teaching team to make sure every resource is classroom-ready — so we can make your lesson planning easier!
New to teaching the types of writing, or just looking for new ways to engage your students? Read on for a primer from our teacher team!
What Are the Different Types of Writing? 4 Main Writing Genres to Share With Students
If you're introducing the different types of writing — or different genres of writing — to your students, it can help to have some basic descriptions of each type at hand. That's exactly what our teacher team has put together for you!
When we sit down to write any text, we have a goal for writing. Sometimes we're looking to tell a story. Sometimes we want to share information. Other times a piece of writing is created to persuade the reader.
The goal or purpose of a text, as well as its audience, helps us determine what type of writing we need to create.
There are many different genres of writing that students will encounter as readers and writers over their lifetimes, but let's start with the four main types of writing that we cover in elementary and middle school.
1. Narrative Writing
Narrative writers tell stories, making up characters and creating different settings for their readers. The goal of this type of writing is to entertain the reader.
2. Persuasive Writing
If you're trying to convince a reader of something, you'll need to engage in persuasive writing. This type involves trying to convince a reader to take a specific action or to agree with your point of view.
3. Descriptive Writing
When we want to describe something to a reader, the type of writing we create is called descriptive writing. In this genre, we use vivid details to paint a picture in the reader's mind.
4. Informative Writing
If your goal is to create a piece of text that provides the reader with facts or instructions about a specific topic, the type of writing to choose is informative writing.
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Using a Stimulus - Independent Writing
A 60 minute lesson in which students will independently write an informative text, using appropriate text structure, language and features.
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Applying Proofreading and Editing Skills
A 60 minute lesson in which students will learn and apply proofreading and editing skills.
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Sequencing Ideas Using Time Connectives
A 60 minute lesson in which students will investigate how events can be sequenced using time connectives.
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Using A Fact File - Shared Writing
A 60 minute lesson in which students will use a fact file and scaffolding sheet to write an informative text in pairs.
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Personal Recounts - Text Structure
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify and explore the structure of personal recounts.
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Informative Paragraph Structure
A 60 minute lesson in which students will explore the correct paragraph structure for informative writing.
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On the Weekend
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Informative Texts - Language Features
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify and explore the language features of informative texts.
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Eat Your Peas - Independent Writing
A 60 minute lesson in which students will independently construct a simple opinion piece about a familiar situation.
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Let's Get Factual!
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What Pet Should I Get? - Shared Writing
A 60 minute lesson in which students will construct a simple opinion piece on a familiar situation in pairs.
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Hey, Little Ant - Modeled Writing
A 60 minute lesson in which students will construct a simple opinion piece on a familiar topic.
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For or Against?
A 60 minute lesson in which students will investigate reasons for and against a situation or topic.
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Using a Stimulus - Independent Writing
A 60 minute lesson in which students will independently write an opinion piece, using appropriate text structure, language and features.
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Applying Proofreading and Editing Skills
A 60 minute lesson in which students will learn and apply proofreading and editing skills.
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Publishing a Poetry Anthology
A 60 minute lesson in which students will create a class anthology of narrative poems.
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Using an Opinion Prompt - Shared Writing
A 60 minute lesson in which students will use a writing prompt and scaffolding sheet to write an opinion piece in pairs.
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Constructing an Opinion Paragraph Using OREO
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify and use the correct paragraph structure when writing an opinion piece.
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Planning and Writing a Narrative Poem
A 60 minute lesson in which students will plan and write a narrative poem which includes a setting, characters and a storyline.
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Storytelling Through Poetry
A 60 minute lesson in which students will explore storytelling through poetry.
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Creating a Fairy Tale Setting
A 60 minute lesson in which students develop a setting for a fairy tale.
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Exploring Fairy Tale Characters
A 60 minute lesson in which students will explore the methods authors use to create a character.
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Opinion Piece - Organizational Structure
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify and explore the organizational structure of an opinion piece.
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Word Play in Poetry
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify and explore word play in poetry.
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What Are Fairy Tales?
A 60 minute lesson in which students will explore the key features of the fairy tale genre.
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Exploring Poetic Devices
A 60 minute lesson in which students will explore the common literary devices found in poetry.
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Purpose, Audience and Context
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify the purpose, intended audience and subject matter of a poem.
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What is Poetry?
A 60 minute lesson in which students will develop a definition of poetry.
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Cinderella Story Video
Explore the story of Cinderella with your students using this animated fairy tale video perfect for younger learners.
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The Three Little Pigs Story Video
Explore the story of The Three Little Pigs with your students using this animated fairy tale video perfect for younger learners.
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The Gingerbread Man Story Video
Introduce the story of The Gingerbread Man to your students with this animated fairy tale video perfect for younger students.
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Alice in Wonderland Story Video
Introduce the story of Alice in Wonderland to your students with this animated fairy tale video perfect for younger students.
- Types of Writing Templates
- Types of Writing Worksheets
- Types of Writing Posters
- Types of Writing Games
- Types of Writing Word Walls
- Types of Writing Projects
- Types of Writing for Kindergarten
- Types of Writing for 1st Grade
- Types of Writing for 2nd Grade
- Types of Writing for 3rd Grade
- Types of Writing for 4th Grade
- Types of Writing for 5th Grade
- Types of Writing for 6th Grade
- Types of Writing for 7th Grade