Writing is indeed the most common form of communication, as both kids and adults prefer to express their thoughts and ideas through words. But, writing is not as simple as it may seem. It is a challenging skill to put your thoughts into words and arrange them to make some meaning and convey what you want to express. This issue is most evident in children and young professional writers who struggle to take up writing as a planned process.
People looking to learn an effective writing style often look for methods that are practical and easy to understand. There are hundreds of such methods available on the internet, but the Four Square writing method stands out.
The Four Square writing method is a simple and easy-to-learn process that helps young children, students, and other people who have difficulty understanding the writing process learn the art of putting ideas into understandable words. The Four Square method divides a writing assignment into different simple sections, making the process organized and offering a clear picture of writing.
In this post, we will look into the Four Square writing method and how teachers and students can use it to master the skills of writing.
A Broader Perspective
The Four Square writing method is a structural process that helps young children, students, and writers having difficulties in putting their thoughts into meaningful words. It breaks down the process of writing into simpler steps, aiding people in figuring out ways to organize their ideas and give them a form. The Four Square writing method is specifically useful for those who face difficulties in plotting their thoughts and ideas, and mostly the writers who suffer from the “blank page syndrome”.
Now, what is this ‘blank page syndrome’? You might have come across instances where you get a topic or an idea, but fail to figure out ideas on how to make people understand the actual point. In short, you know the question but leave the page blank since you are not able to figure out the answer.
For educators and teachers, the Four Square writing method is one of the best methods for teaching students the skills needed to organize their thoughts and write them meaningfully. This process is the best way for students to learn writing without being confused or uncertain about its meaning.
The Four Square Writing Method – Detailed Breakdown
Being an effective and efficient method to learn writing, the reason why the Four Square writing method stands out is because it divides the complex process into simpler, more understandable steps. Below is a detailed breakdown of how the Four Square writing method is divided for understanding based on the squares –
The Center Square
The center square denotes the main idea of the topic. It is the idea on which the person will learn the process.
The Supporting Ideas
Once the center square has the main idea, the next step involves adding supporting ideas related to the main topic to the supporting squares. These ideas can be any features, characteristics, or details related to the idea.
The Expansion of Ideas
Once the supporting squares are filled, the next step involves expanding the supporting ideas with additional features or details related to the topic and the primary supporting points. These can be the basis of usage, any data to validate, or anything that establishes the main idea.
The Final Conclusion
Once all the details are ready, the final conclusion involves putting everything down on a paper with the supporting details and explanations establishing connections with the main idea, or explaining how they are interrelated.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering the Four Square Writing Method
By now, you must have understood what the Four Square writing method is about and how it is used as a tool for effective writing by teachers and students. It is widely used by students and new writers to organize their thoughts and think about an idea or a topic from several angles to find the best possible explanation. Since it is a simple and effective process, a proper understanding and knowledge of how to use the Four Square writing method for learning writing is necessary.
Below is a detailed step-by-step guide on how the Four Square writing method can be used by teachers and students –
Step 1 – Identify the Main Idea
The first step of the Four Square writing method involves figuring out the main topic for the central square, i.e. the central theme of the process. Once the idea is decided, write down the same in the center square. You can use paper, a board, or any writing surface for the process.
For example, let us consider the topic of “Pros of Good Health”. This would be our central theme.
Step 2 – Organize the Supporting Ideas
Once the primary theme is ready, it is time to pen down the supporting ideas in the four squares. These supporting ideas could be anything that relates to and explains the central theme.
For example, for the primary idea of health, the supporting ideas could be “Better Sleep”, “Increased Energy”, Saves Money”, and “Prevents Diseases”.
Step 3 – Explain the Theme & Ideas
Once the supporting ideas are designed, you need to explain them and their relation to the main theme. These could be anything involving data around the ideas, facts that establish them, examples of how these are used, etc. These explanations need to be written below the supplement ideas.
For example, under “Increased Energy”, you could add explanations on how better health saves your work capacity and provides acceleration for any work that you do.
Step 4 – Establish the Relation
Once everything is done, the next step is to establish the relationship between the supporting ideas and the main theme. The relationship ensures that the writing is on point and it clearly explains why the supporting ideas have been used for the theme.
Step 5 – The Ending Wrap-Up
Once everything is ready, it is time to focus on the topic as a whole and prepare the conclusion. This involves summarizing the ideas and explanations and adding them as the important aspect of the central theme.
Step 6 – Use Changes and Transitions
Make sure to use transitional phrases as and when necessary to relate the sentences and make people understand what you are trying to tell through the points and explanations.
Step 7 – Prepare the Drafts
Once you have everything ready, the second last thing is to start drafting based on the information you have. Use the Four Square writing method framework as your basis and make sure to use and relate every detail that you had jotted down in the framework.
The Four Square Writing Method – Detailed Breakdown
Writing might not be an easy skill to learn, but it surely can be mastered. The Four Square writing method is arguably the best possible method that you can use as a teacher or a student to brush up your writing skills. Mastering the Four Square writing method is not a tough task; you simply need to understand what you are working on and how you can provide and use the points and details related to the topic.
The rest is a process that is easily understandable and simple to follow!
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