Four Square Writing Method
Encyclopedia
The Four Square Writing Method is a simplified graphic organizer for teaching writing to children in school. While primarily used to teach persuasive writing
, it has also been used to help teach deconstruction
. The method was developed by Judith S. Gould and Evan Jay Gould in 1999.
It was developed initially for primary school students, but has also been used in high school classes.
The method is primarily a visual framework for assisting students with formulating ideas in an organized manner prior to writing an essay.
The concept generally works as follows:
Variations of the above rules may require more or less development in each of the rectangles, depending on the grade-level or maturity of the student.
, Michigan
, noted, "significant growth was observed in the students' writings in both classes." Another study, carried out at American Senior High School
in Miami-Dade County
, Florida
with older students, showed an increase in FCAT
scores, though not as marked as the Michigan grade school students. It was noted that one teacher had remarkably more success with the program than others, and that teachers must be trained thoroughly to get best results from this method.
Persuasive writing
Persuasive writing, could be referred to as a creative writing or an argument, in which the speaker uses words to convince the reader of a writer’s view regarding an issue. Persuasive writing involves convincing the reader to perform an action, or it may simply consist of an argument convincing the...
, it has also been used to help teach deconstruction
Deconstruction
Deconstruction is a term introduced by French philosopher Jacques Derrida in his 1967 book Of Grammatology. Although he carefully avoided defining the term directly, he sought to apply Martin Heidegger's concept of Destruktion or Abbau, to textual reading...
. The method was developed by Judith S. Gould and Evan Jay Gould in 1999.
It was developed initially for primary school students, but has also been used in high school classes.
Method
The concept generally works as follows:
- A rectangleRectangleIn Euclidean plane geometry, a rectangle is any quadrilateral with four right angles. The term "oblong" is occasionally used to refer to a non-square rectangle...
is drawn, width exceeding height, and divided into four smaller rectangles of equal size. An additional rectangle is drawn in the center of the figure, taking up some of the area in each of the other four rectangles. A total of five rectangles are thus created. - The student writes a complete topic sentence in the center rectangle.
- The student then writes sentences in the lower-left, upper-left, and upper-right rectangles that develop the thesis of the central topic.
- Finally, the student writes a summary sentence in the lower-right rectangle. The summary sentence describes how the reader is intended to feel about the topic.
Variations of the above rules may require more or less development in each of the rectangles, depending on the grade-level or maturity of the student.
Results
Results show a consistent increase in the ability of students to write persuasively. A study at Springview Elementary School, in Allendale Charter TownshipAllendale Charter Township, Michigan
Allendale Charter Township is a charter township of Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the township population was 20,708...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, noted, "significant growth was observed in the students' writings in both classes." Another study, carried out at American Senior High School
American High School (Miami-Dade County, Florida)
American High School is a secondary school located in Country Club, unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida. The principal is Luis E. Diaz. The school has been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.- Overview :...
in Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County, Florida
Miami-Dade County is a county located in the southeastern part of the state of Florida. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 2,496,435, making it the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
with older students, showed an increase in FCAT
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test
The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, or the FCAT , is the standardized test used in the primary and secondary public schools of Florida...
scores, though not as marked as the Michigan grade school students. It was noted that one teacher had remarkably more success with the program than others, and that teachers must be trained thoroughly to get best results from this method.