Writing Checklists

We use our Writing Checklists to check and edit our writing. 

They list all the skills we expect children to be able to demonstrate at different stages in their writing development. Children will be given the appropriate list, depending on which skills they have already mastered and which they need to focus on. 

NB: There are two copies of the checklist on each printable sheet - one for the writer, and one for their editing partner. 

• Year 1 Checklist 1 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineYear 1 Checklist 1
• Year 1 Checklist 2 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineYear 1 Checklist 2
• Year 1 Checklist 3 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineYear 1 Checklist 3
• Year 2 Checklist 1 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineYear 2 Checklist 1
• Year 2 Checklist 2 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineYear 2 Checklist 2
• Year 2 Checklist 3 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineYear 2 Checklist 3
• Year 3 Checklist 1 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineYear 3 Checklist 1
• Year 3 Checklist 2 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineYear 3 Checklist 2
• Year 4 Checklist 1 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineYear 4 Checklist 1
• Year 4 Checklist 2 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineYear 4 Checklist 2
• Year 5 Checklist 1 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineYear 5 Checklist 1
• Year 5 Checklist 2 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineYear 5 Checklist 2
• Year 6 Checklist 1 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineYear 6 Checklist 1
• Year 6 Checklist 2 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineYear 6 Checklist 2

 How to use your writing checklist

1. Read through the checklist before you start writing, to remind yourself of the standard you are aiming for. 

2. Pick out one or two skills you want to particularly target. Perhaps ones you know are an area for improvement, or that are especially relevant for what you are writing. Highlight these on your checklist. 

3. Pause regularly in your writing to consult your checklist. Which skills have you already demonstrated? Which do you still need to include? 

4. Once you have finished your first draft, ask a partner to tick the checklist if you can show them evidence you have met that skill. How many ticks can you get? 

5. Look at any skills that were not ticked. Can you use a purple polishing pen to improve your writing and achieve that skill by editing for improvement? 

6. Use your checklist to identify the skill you will choose to target next time!