Talk for Writing

At TLAP we use Pie Corbett’s Talk4Writing approach as the basis for our writing. The aim is to develop imaginative, creative and effective writers. There are 3 stages to this method: 

1 – Imitation 

Before they start on any text, the children undertake a ‘cold’ task where they are encouraged to have a go at writing in the style of a particular genre to enable teachers to see what they can already do. This gives us a focus for the learning over the next few weeks and the children have their own personal writing targets to work towards. 

The children are then introduced to a key text on which the learning is based. They co-create a text map to illustrate the text which they internalise. They look at the vocabulary used and learn to use features that are specific to the genre they are looking at. 

2- Innovation 

In the innovation stage, children work with the teacher to create their own versions of the text, using the features that they have been taught. 

3 – Independent Application 

In this final phase, children are supported with their planning and are then encouraged to write their own independent piece of writing. This is then edited with support from their peers and their teacher to create a final ‘hot’ task. 

As well as the half termly genre focus, there are other opportunities for writing within the school such as 100 Object Day and World Book Day. 

Older children are also given opportunities beyond the school, for example this year a group of Year 6 children participated in the National Literacy Trust’s Wicked Writers competition.

Writing key texts literacy spine

Writing visual map

Reception – How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers – Writing focus: Instruction writing
Year 1 - Judi Barrett – Writing focus: Report writing
Year 4 – The Iron Man by Ted Hughes – Writing focus: Non-chronological report
Year 5 – Riddle of the Runes by Janina Ramirez – Writing focus: Suspense story