Writers Express:
A Handbook for Young Writers, Thinkers, and Learners

Writers Express is a writing handbook for students in grades 4 and 5. It overflows with writing guidelines, models, checklists, tips, and much more. Writers Express also helps students become better readers, test takers, and learners. The handbook has four major sections.

• The Process of Writing answers questions about writing, from selecting a topic to proofreading a final draft.
• The Forms of Writing section contains help for writing essays, reports, stories, poems, and many other documents.
• The Tools of Learning section helps students effectively study, read, listen, speak, and take tests.
• The Proofreader’s Guide provides rules and examples for punctuation, capitalization, spelling, grammar, and much more.

Writers Express . . .

• connects with students using colorful art and an encouraging voice.
• leads students step-by-step through the writing process: prewriting, writing, revising, editing, and publishing.
• helps students write better sentences, paragraphs, and essays.
• models writing for different purposes: personal, narrative, explanatory, persuasive (argument), literary, research, imaginative, and assessment.
• includes dozens of high-interest student models of writing.
• supports student writers in all classes across the curriculum.
• helps students improve learning: reading, spelling, speaking, viewing, listening, thinking, studying, collaborating, taking tests, and using technology.
• guides students when editing for punctuation, mechanics, spelling, usage, sentences, and grammar.

Teacher's FAQ

Administrator's FAQ

CCSS Correlations (Excel Sheet)

Writers Express White Paper “Why Write” (PDF Document)

The Story of Writers Express

The authors of Writers Express invented the idea of the student writing handbook in 1976. Over the next ten years, they refined their high school handbook to create the best-selling Writers INC. Middle school teachers wanted their own handbook, so the authors wrote Write Source. Intermediate and elementary teachers asked for their own handbooks, and so Writers Express, Write on Track, Write Away, Write One, and The Writing Spot were born.

To celebrate the 20th year of Writers Express, the authors have created a fully updated version of this handbook. This new version correlates to the new standards and assessments. In addition to the printed book, the authors are building a Web site loaded with free resources and professional development. They also have innovated online writing units optimized for viewing on white boards, smartphones, and everything in between.

A revised Write on Track (grade 3) is coming soon. Watch for revisions of Write Away (grade 2), Write One (grade 1), and The Writing Spot (kindergarten).