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Rowan University

An exploratory investigation of the effects of prewriting on fifth grade students' writing ability

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not the use of a graphic organizer during the prewriting stage of the writing process improved the writing of narrative compositions in fifth grade students. For this study, the Four Square approach to writing was the selected prewriting strategy. Four Square Writing is a systematic approach to writing designed around a graphic organizer that teaches students how plan before they write. The students in this study were introduced to the approach through small group instruction over a five-week period. By interviewing students, comparing writing samples throughout the intervention, and assessing writing using a rubric, I determined if there was an improvement in the students' writing throughout the study. At the end of the intervention, all of the students had exhibited improvement in their quality of writing. The findings of this study suggest that through appropriate instruction, students who employ prewriting strategies during the writing process can improve the overall quality of their narrative compositions.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
M.S. in Teaching
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Interdisciplinary and Inclusive Education
Year dc:date.available
2005

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Montegary, Katie
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Madden, Marjorie

Subjects

dc:subject × 2

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/1050
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:rdw.rowan.edu:etd-2050

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Rowan University
Base URL
rdw.rowan.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Montegary, Katie. An exploratory investigation of the effects of prewriting on fifth grade students' writing ability. Thesis thesis, 2005. https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/1050