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Mr. A's Writing Tools
writingtools.org
Writing Assignment
Charlotte's Web: A True Friend
Standard: Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
What to Do
Assignment OverviewLet's read a scene from Charlotte's Web, where Charlotte the spider decides to do something amazing to save her friend Wilbur. Then you'll find details and examples that show why Charlotte helps him. Charlotte's Web: A True Friend
1
Wilbur the pig stared at the ground, his eyes full of tears. The old sheep had just told him the terrible news: when winter came, Farmer Zuckerman planned to turn Wilbur into smoked bacon and ham. Wilbur let out a long, shaky cry. "I don't want to die!" he sobbed. "I want to stay alive, right here in my warm barn with all my friends."
2
The barn was quiet. None of the other animals knew what to say. Then a thin, gentle voice came from the corner of the doorway. "I'll save you," said Charlotte, the gray spider who lived in the web above Wilbur's pen.
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"You?" said Wilbur, blinking through his tears. "How could a little spider save a pig?"
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"I'm not sure yet," Charlotte admitted, "but I'm going to try. You are my friend, and I am not going to let them take you away." She paused, then added quietly, "A friend is someone who helps when no one else will."
5
That night, while everyone slept, Charlotte worked. She carefully spun new silk, weaving letters into her web above Wilbur's pen. By morning, the web spelled out two shining words: SOME PIG. When Farmer Zuckerman saw it, his eyes went wide. "This is no ordinary pig," he whispered. "A miracle has happened in this barn."
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Charlotte watched from the shadows, saying nothing. She did not need anyone to thank her. She just wanted her friend to be safe. Vocabulary Bank
Writing Steps
1
Understand the Story
In your own words, tell us:
- What is this story about? - Who are the important characters? - What question are we trying to answer about Charlotte's reasons for helping Wilbur? You can use bullet points or short sentences. There's no wrong way to answer this! Read the story carefully. Pay attention to the characters, what happens, and how things turn out.
Then think about this question: What do Charlotte's words and actions tell us about why she helps Wilbur? Before we start looking for evidence, let's make sure we understand the story and what we need to figure out.
Scoring Guidance — Step 1
Look for:
Main Idea Detail / Evidence 1 Detail / Evidence 2 Detail / Evidence 3
2
Find Details from the Story
Find ONE detail or example from the story that helps answer the question:
1. Detail or quote: What does the story say? Copy the exact words or describe a specific moment. 2. Where you found it: Tell us where in the story you found this detail (beginning, middle, or end). Try starting with: - "The story says..." - "In the story, [character] says/does..." - "One example from the text is..." Now let's be text detectives! Your job is to find details and examples from the story that help answer our question:
What do Charlotte's words and actions tell us about why she helps Wilbur? Look for things characters say, do, or feel. Look for events that happen. These are your clues! Tip: You can copy the exact words from the story and put them in quotation marks.
Scoring Guidance — Step 2
Look for:
What does the story actually SAY about this?
Can you find the exact words from the story?
What do the characters say or do that helps answer the question?
Try putting the story's exact words in quotation marks
Sentence Starters
In the text, the author shows that ___.
The author writes, "___," which shows ___.
This is important because ___.
Overall, the text shows that ___.
3
What Can You Figure Out?
Make ONE inference (a smart guess based on the story):
1. Your inference: What can you figure out that the story doesn't say directly? 2. Your clues: What details in the story helped you figure this out? Try starting with: - "Based on the story, I can figure out that..." - "The story doesn't say this directly, but I think... because..." - "The clues in the story tell me that..." Great job finding that detail! Now let's think deeper. An inference is something you can figure out from the story even though it doesn't say it directly. You use clues from the text plus your own thinking!
Think about what the story HINTS at or SUGGESTS about Charlotte's reasons for helping Wilbur. What do Charlotte's words and actions tell us about why she helps Wilbur? What can you figure out by putting clues from the story together?
Scoring Guidance — Step 3
Look for:
What does the story HINT at without saying it directly?
What can you figure out by putting clues together?
Think: 'The story doesn't say this, but I can tell that...
What clues did the author leave for you?
Sentence Starters
In the text, the author shows that ___.
The author writes, "___," which shows ___.
This is important because ___.
Overall, the text shows that ___.
4
Explain How Your Evidence Helps
Write 2-3 sentences explaining:
1. How does your detail from the story help answer the question? 2. How does your inference add to your answer? 3. What do they show when you put them together? Try using phrases like: - "This detail shows that..." - "This matters because..." - "Together, these clues tell us that..." Nice work finding evidence! Now let's explain WHY it matters.
Good readers don't just find evidence - they explain how it helps answer the question. Look back at your detail and your inference. How do they help answer: What do Charlotte's words and actions tell us about why she helps Wilbur?
Scoring Guidance — Step 4
Look for:
Why does your evidence matter?
How does it help answer the question?
What do your detail and inference SHOW when you put them together?
Sentence Starters
In the text, the author shows that ___.
The author writes, "___," which shows ___.
This is important because ___.
Overall, the text shows that ___.
5
Put It All Together
Write a complete paragraph (4-6 sentences) that:
1. Tells what you discovered about Charlotte's reasons for helping Wilbur 2. Includes your detail or quote from the story 3. Includes what you figured out (your inference) 4. Explains how the evidence answers the question Make sure your ideas flow and connect to each other! Awesome work! Now let's combine everything into one complete paragraph.
Your paragraph should answer: What do Charlotte's words and actions tell us about why she helps Wilbur? Include: - Your detail from the story (what it directly says) - Your inference (what you figured out) - Your explanation (how the evidence helps answer the question)
Scoring Guidance — Step 5
Look for:
Start with your main idea about the question
Include your detail or quote from the story
Add what you figured out (your inference)
End by explaining what it all means together
Sentence Starters
In the text, the author shows that ___.
The author writes, "___," which shows ___.
This is important because ___.
Overall, the text shows that ___.
Self-Check Rubric
Before You Turn InI completed the planning step
I completed Step 2: Find Details from the Story
I completed Step 3: What Can You Figure Out?
I completed Step 4: Explain How Your Evidence Helps
I completed Step 5: Put It All Together
I re-read my writing and fixed any spelling or grammar mistakes
I am proud of this work
ReflectionWhat was the hardest part of this assignment? What would you do differently next time? Want the AI-coached version of this assignment?
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writingtools.org/printables/literary4_charlotte_web_v1
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