post
BLOG AND NEWS

The Imagery-Language Connection: Writing Tips

May 17, 2018
 
 

Book reports, essays, and even short responses, can cause frustration, panic, and, sometimes, even tears for many school age students. And it’s no wonder. Writing is a complex task that requires a lot: good thinking skills, organisation, spelling, grammar and punctuation, as well as ease with a pencil, or keyboard.

 

Writing can be particularly difficult for students who have an identified comprehension weakness. A primary cause of language comprehension problems is difficulty creating an imagined gestalt. This is called weak concept imagery. This weakness causes individuals to get only “parts” of information they read or hear, but not the whole. So without the “big picture” idea for a passage or book she just read, a student will have a hard time coming up with a strong paragraph. Writing is imaged thought.

 

Students who can write well are putting words to the images in their mind’s eye. The imagery-language connection is key to good thinking and communication. Try using language that stimulates imagery as you coach your child through their next writing assignment.

 

Start at the Beginning

Make sure your child understands the writing assignment. To gauge understanding, read the directions together and pause to see if she can picture the key details. For example, if the assignment is, “Choose your favorite character in your book. Write a paragraph about why they would make a good president” you can ask your child questions about what she is picturing like, “How long are you picturing the finished assignment will be?” and “What are you picturing for ‘prime minister’?”

 

Make a Plan

Before your child starts the next big writing assignment, work on a list of tasks to be completed. Use imagery-stimulating questions to ensure your child is understanding the purpose and goal of each.  A book report might entail:

 

– read book

– take notes

– write outline

– write the first draft

– read my draft and edit

– write final

 

Work together to estimate how much time each task will take; and get them onto a timeline or calendar. Just like adults, kids prefer to check off smaller tasks as they go, rather than returning to one big daunting project.

 

Outline

Outlines are a great way to get ideas organised. Your child’s teacher may have suggestions or tools for organising paragraphs. Many graphic organisers (e.g. the “hamburger” method) are acceptable, as they reflect a classic paragraph structure:

 

A topic sentence / main idea

Detail #1

Detail #2

Detail #3

Conclusion: A closing sentence that links the details.

 

To get the most out of outlines, engage your child by using language that prompts imagery. Asking questions may help spur new ideas. For example, “What do you picture the pig is doing all day?”

 

Writing & Editing

Your student can follow her outline for keywords to use for writing the paragraph. Throughout the writing process, encourage your child to be connecting language and imagery. When writing, we are creating an image in the mind of the reader.

 

Give feedback about whether you can visualise her writing.  For example, “Wow! I could really picture the red fox you described.”

 

When editing, encourage your child to find and correct words she may have misspelled.

 

We hope these tips for writing help your family throughout the school year! Nanci Bell, author of Visualizing and Verbalizing for Language Comprehension and Thinking, wrote, “Many students with language comprehension weakness may also have poor writing skills because they lack the imagery for the gestalt (whole). Attempts to teach them to write are hampered by their weakness in the nonverbal code of imagery. While often good in spelling, punctuation, and grammar, they still can’t write.”

 

If you’d like more information on language comprehension weakness and writing, please contact our Learning Centres at: Sydney Chatswood (02) 9410 1006; Sydney Double Bay (02) 9328 7119.

 

Teachers can explore our workshops that develop the imagery-language connection: Workshops Schedule.

 

Connect with us
The Lindamood-Bell Learning Ability Evaluation sheds light on how your child's strengths and weaknesses impact their reading, comprehension, and math skills. Receive personalized recommendations for the type and duration of instruction that can transform your child's learning ability and confidence. Get started at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
.
.
.

#googlereview #fivestarreview #lindamoodbell #testimonial #tutor
Your student can experience school success with Lindamood-Bell Academy.  We address each student’s unique learning needs and provide a full curriculum. Don’t wait another year to make the switch—enroll today! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoobellofficial.
.
.
.
#LindamoodBellAcademy #LindamoodBell #dyslexia #privateschool #PersonalizedLearning
Boost your child's reading, comprehension, or math skills over winter break with Lindamood-Bell! 📚✨ 
Personalized in-person or online instruction is available. Act fast for a special 15% off the first week. ⏳
Get details at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
.
.
.
#lindamoodbell #wintercamp #winterbreakcamp #winterbreak
🎧New Podcast Episode! 🎧
We welcome Jacquelyn, a 17-year-old learning disability advocate. Jacquelyn shares her transformative journey of overcoming dyslexia and dyscalculia. The episode explores her perseverance, academic achievements, and the value of evidence-based instruction on her journey. Listen and subscribe to Lindamood-Bell Radio at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
.
.
.
#LindamoodBell  #podcast #testimonial #dyslexia #dyscalculia
Imagine what your child could accomplish with Lindamood-Bell! Contact our learning center to get started with in-person or live online instruction. Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
.
.
.
#lindamoodbell #testimonial #tutor
Lindamood-Bell helps students of all ages catch up or get ahead in reading, comprehension, and math. Our evidence-based instruction is effective whether you attend in person or live online. Get started at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
.
.
.
#lindamoodbell #tutor #testimonial
Don’t wait another year to make the switch.  Your student can experience school success with Lindamood-Bell Academy.  We address each student’s unique learning needs and provide a full curriculum. Enroll today! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoobellofficial.
.
.
.
#LindamoodBellAcademy #LindamoodBell #dyslexia #privateschool #personalizedlearning
Our evidence-based instruction is effective whether you attend in person or live online! Students everywhere can gain new skills and confidence—and have a successful school year. Get info for your student at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
.
.
.
#lindamoodbell #tutor #onlineinstruction #testimonial
Winter Break is the perfect time for individualized, one-to-one reading, comprehension, and math instruction. Your child can conquer learning loss or get ahead before school resumes in the new year. Contact our learning center to secure your spot!
Get info at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
.
.
.
#lindamoodbell #wintercamp #winterbreakcamp #winterbreak
Our personalized approach and evidence-based instruction can make a difference for your student. Don’t wait another year. Your student can make the switch to Lindamood-Bell Academy and get back on track! Get info at the link in our bio, @lindamoobellofficial.
.
.
.
#lindamoodbellacademy  #privateschool #lindamoodbell #testimonial
New Podcast Episode!
Our guest, Sarah Kodinsky, is the CEO of a childcare service specializing in support for children with developmental needs. Listen and subscribe at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
.
.
.
#lindamoodbell #podcast
Our evidence-based instruction helps students of all ages catch up or get ahead in reading, comprehension, and math. Contact us for a personalized plan to help your student have a great school year. Now enrolling for Winter Break! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
.
.
.
#googlereview #fivestarreview #lindamoodbell #testimonial #tutor
Students of all ages can learn to read and comprehend to their potential with our evidence-based instruction. Attend in person or live online. 
Get info at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
.
.
.
#lindamoodbell #tutor #testimonial
📣Attention educators! 
We've compiled the best moments from past Leaders in Literacy webinars. Topics include the science of reading, dyslexia, professional development, and instructional leadership. 🌟
Catch up on the literacy insights you might have missed. Now available on-demand! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
.
.
.
#lindamoodbell #webinar #dyslexia #teachersofinstagram #scienceofreading
Request Information
Menu
Loading ...

Request Information

When you complete our form, we'll send you to our digital information packet and reach out to you shortly.
You may also call us at

Choose at least one option. *
* required

Schedule a Learning
Ability Evaluation

Please fill out the form and we will be in touch to schedule an evaluation.

* required
Chat with a Live Representative