GUEST BLOGGER JESSICA STREMER
The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle is an iterative process used in science to solve problems and test theories. It’s also commonly used in writing and can be a great way to make the revision process a little more fun.
Plan
The first part of this cycle is planning. Usually writers have a general idea of what they want to write about, even if the details are a little fuzzy when they first start out. For example, a writer may decide they want to tell a story about a famous person. After researching they may want to write about challenges the person overcame, or maybe they want to focus on just one fun or exciting event in that person’s life. Plans evolve and change, which can make the process challenging yet fun.
In my book, Plight of the Pelican: How Science Saved a Species, I knew I wanted to write about pelicans. I also knew I needed to take a different approach to make my book stand out from other books about birds. Through research I learned pelicans were once at risk of becoming extinct. I updated my plan to focus the story on how scientists discovered DDT was causing harm to pelicans and other types of birds.
Do
Next, it’s time to write an initial draft. Staring at blank page may feel daunting to some, and exciting to others. The only way to get through it is to do the work and write!
Check
After I’m happy with my story I send it to critique partners for feedback. They’ll let me know how they feel about pacing and word choice. Did they connect to the story in some way? Did they feel satisfied with the ending? Checking in with others is a great way to see your story in a new light.
Act
After getting feedback it’s time to act – (aka revise). For Plight of the Pelicans, I was lucky to receive a very helpful critique from an editor. The revisions made the story stronger and in the end the editor offered to turn it into a book.
The best part of Plan-Do-Check-Act is that there is no limit to the number of times you can go through the cycle.
Classroom activity
Plan
Have your students decide what they are going to write. This may be fiction or nonfiction, poetry or prose. Next have them create an outline of key information they want to include in their writing. As students brainstorm and create their plan, encourage them to think about what they want others to feel when they read the story. What verbs and adjectives can they use to help encourage those feelings and emotions? Note: Word banks come in handy here.
Do
Write. Have students refer to their outline if they get stuck, and to pull in words from their word bank. Remind students that the first draft is never perfect.
Check
Have students share their writing with 2 to 3 classmates. Classmates should then provide feedback about the story. What emotions did they experience while reading the story? What verbs and adjectives stood out to help them feel the way they did?
Note: The sandwich feedback model (positive, improvement, positive) can be used to share both positive and helpful feedback. For example, a student could say they thought the story was funny. Maybe if they added another silly moment the story will be even funnier. They also liked the character’s name.
Act
The writer reviews their classmates’ feedback. Remind students they don’t have to make every change someone suggests. Instruct students to make a list of revisions they’d like to make. Then, it’s time to revise and polish the story. This is also a good time to check for punctuation and spelling mistakes.
Featured image credit: Image by vgnk from Pixabay
Jessica Stremer is an award-winning children’s author who combines her love of science and writing to create books that inspire kids to explore and think critically about the world around them. Her books have received multiple starred reviews and have been designated as SLJ Gold Selections, Cook Prize Silver Medal recipient, NYPL Best Book of the Year, and NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book. Jessica obtained a B.S. in Biology, with an emphasis in Ecology, from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. When not writing you can find Jessica cheering from the sideline of her kids’ soccer games, spending time outdoors, and planning her next family adventure. Website: www.jessicastremer.com
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