LAL is a national reading promotion program of the Center for the Book

Accentuate

the Positive!

Hate to red-pencil compositions? Most kids hate getting their papers back with red marks all over them, too. At LAL, we don't use red pencils or pens. Instead, we look for the positive elements in each letters—whether it is a single word choice, a phrase, or a well-thought out idea.

Try this simple activity with your students. Put away your red pencil and grab a yellow (or orange, green, pink) highlighter. As you read the letter, highlight the ideas and language you like. The example below shows you what we mean.

Dear Bette Green,

I finished The Summer of my German Soldier the other night. I just want to tell you that it was an excellent book. It was so well written that I was crying at the end. The book gave me such a different perspective on how prejudiced our country is. I hope I’m not prejudiced like some of the people in your book. I try to be fair, but it is so easy when choosing between people to select the one most like me.

I also really began to see how lucky I am to be part of a family that accepts me for who I am, and not to be abused like Patty was in your book. A deep feeling of helplessness swept over me as I was reading parts of your book about the father’s abuse. I guess I would have run out to try to help, like Antone did. too.  

(from a letter written by Linetta from Bridgewater, VA)

The pink highlight is more than just colorful. It emphasizes what Linetta did well (rather than focusing on what she might have done poorly). In the first sentence we highlighted, we liked her content, her idea. It’s a pretty honest assessment of her own behavior. In the second sentence we highlighted, we liked her use of language. This doesn’t mean, of course that the other sentences are poorly done. In fact, Linetta wrote a very good letter. Still, we wanted to reinforce her original thinking and expression and the highlighting does that in just a glance.  Look at the example below. Can you figure out why the LAL judge highlighted this sentence?

Dear Charlotte Bronte,

I am writing in regards to your book Villette. This book has had a large influence upon my life. Picking up your book is like wrapping myself in a warm blanket of familiarity. I never find it difficult to understand your character’s feelings. I have experienced many of them myself.

(from a letter written by Evelina from Chaska, MN)

’s not just the use of a simile. In this case, it’s a simile that works. Books do wrap  themselves around you and yes, familiarity is a warm, comfortable, safe feeling.  We’ve printed a few more examples below.  Try this activity with your students. Distribute the two excerpts from letters below. Ask students which word, phrase or sentence they like. Not all of these letters are state-level winners but there is something good in each!

Dear Rick Riordan,

I have read almost all of your Percy Jackson books, and I loved and sucked up every word, of every detail, of every page. When I heard that we would be reading your first three books in class, I wanted to scream out, “Halleluiah.” I first heard about your books from my cousin and I gave one a try. Needless to say, I instantly fell in love. I must have read it a zillion times before I found out there were two more.

(from a letter written by Sean from Illinois)

What did we like? The rhetorical use of repetition and the writer’s voice as expressed through his word choice and content.

Dear Matt Christopher,

My number #1 fear in sports is getting hurt. After reading Face-Off I’m not afraid of getting hit in sports. I had an experience that changed my fear about being hit in sports. Just like Scott Harrison, I used to cover my face with my glove when I was playing outfield.

I was up to bat with a count of 3 balls and 2 strikes. I dug my cleats in waiting for whatever nasty pitch the pitcher was going to throw. The pitcher threw the ball and I hit the ball. I ran as hard as I could. My heart was pounding 90 miles per hour. I got out, but before I knew it, I was flying and flat on the ground. I had tripped over the base and cut my arm really bad. I knew that I had to get right back up and take it like man and not like a woos. I got right back up and went right back to the dug out. My coach told me, “Good job giving it your best also good job getting right back up go get a warp for that nasty cut.”

Matt Harrison inspired me to get right back up and don’t be afraid of getting hurt in sports. I feel as if I have started a knew chapter in my life by reading Face Off. (from a letter written by Travis in Michigan)

What did we like? The opening sentence is simple and clearly stated. And interesting.  And most importantly, the author links a personal experience with a character’s behavior in the book. 

When we tested this “accentuate the positive” activity in middle school classrooms, we were impressed by the response—the students were excited to discover which words, phrases, and sentences we had highlighted. But they also were motivated to highlight the best elements of their peers’ letters as well.

You can download the complete 36-page teacher's guide by clicking on the Lesson Plans button on the menu above!

Teaching WRITER'S VOICE is hard! But one quick exercise can help - Accentuate the Positive! See left column. It focuses on the child's choice of words and phrases, reinforcing these choices.