What are details?

One common writing error students make is limiting details. The reason almost always is this: Kids are lazy. It’s quicker to write “my school” than to name the school or to write “my dog” rather than Buster (five letters to six).

Kids need to be reminded what details are, and to be prodded to use them. I have made book marks with lists of details on them. If I were teaching in a classroom again, I’d tape the list to every student’s desk. Using details is such an easy way to improve writing.