Substance Writing for Kids: How to Draft a Concise and Meaningful Summary

The 4 Pillars of Substance

Specific Details: Say exactly what, not just “something.”

Clear Reasons: Explain the “why” behind every idea

Examples: Show, don't just tell

Connected Ideas: Link sentences so they flow together

Before & After Examples

Descriptive Writing

✗ “The dog was nice.”

↓ add details + action

✓ “My golden retriever, Biscuit, wagged his tail so fast it knocked the water bowl off the porch.”

Opinion Writing

✗ “School lunches are bad.”

↓ add a reason + evidence

✓ “School lunches need more variety because eating the same pizza every Friday makes students less excited about eating a full meal.”

Narrative Writing

✗ “I was scared.”

↓ show the feeling through action

✓ “My hands went cold, and I held my breath, pressing myself flat against the wall of the dark hallway.”