Many of my students do. And here’s why.
- Illustrating encourages students to write. The drawings become the carrot that entices the students to write words.
- Information gleaned from the drawings can later be added as details to the writing during revisions. Some students add few details in their writing but add rich details in their illustrations. A teacher can encourage the student to transfer some of the visual details into words.
- The internet has changed the language we use to communicate to a much more visual and less textual language. Students live more and more in a visually designed online world, using icons, videos, tables, photos and cartoons. Why not let their school work reflect their real world?
- Drawings can be an icebreaker between a teacher and a poor student writer. “Wow, Adam, I love the way you drew the expression on that guy’s face. Your art is really well done! Now let’s see how we can get that feeling into words.”
- When students read one another’s work, they love the illustrations. Students may be more willing to accept peer criticism of their writing if they receive peer praise for their drawings.
Below is a narrative with illustrations made by a fifth grader. The illustrations were in his first draft on notebook paper, but we added them to his final draft. Click on the graphic below to enlarge it.
English Writing Teacher 