1. Be sure that the children have something interesting about which to write.
2. Be sure that they have a good stock of ideas on the subject, or that they know how and where to get information and can get it without great difficulty.
3. Be sure that they write an outline of their composition or have one thoroughly in mind before they begin on the essay itself.
4. Give plenty of time for the writing.
5. Show a decided interest in their preparation and in their compositions.
6. Do not be severe in your criticisms. Give encouragement. Concentrate your efforts on one or two errors at a time. Let other mistakes pass till a more convenient time.
7. a. Watch for errors:
(1) In the use of capital letters.
(2) In the use of punctuation marks; first of terminal marks, then of the marks within a sentence.
b. See that every sentence is complete, with subject and predicate.