Nonfiction Craft Lessons

This practical guide tackles one of the most challenging transitions for young writers: moving from personal storytelling to structured nonfiction. JoAnn Portalupi provides concrete strategies to help students scaffold their ideas, transforming their natural curiosity and passion for a subject into clear, effective expository writing. The book directly addresses the anxiety and frustration students often feel when faced with reports, persuasive essays, or "teaching books," offering a clear path forward for informational writing. It recognizes that the hurdle isn't a lack of interest, but a need for the right architectural supports to build confident nonfiction authors.

What sets this resource apart is its foundational belief that students already possess the raw materials—keen interest and wonder—needing only the right craft techniques to structure their knowledge. Teachers will find a treasure trove of specific, classroom-tested lessons that demystify the process of organizing facts and presenting information logically. For any educator watching students struggle to convert research into coherent writing, this book provides the essential toolkit to bridge that gap, turning apprehension into accomplishment in nonfiction composition.