Conventions are an important feature of effective writing. Writing instruction in the elementary grades should attend to basic mechanics and conventions of writing: spelling, capitalization, punctuation, syntax and word usage. Explicit, systematic teaching of specific writing skills is very important, as are opportunities to practice and apply learned skills in writing sentences and paragraphs. Because good writing involves learning and coordinating so many different abilities, and because struggling writers often have weaknesses in multiple areas, it can be helpful to begin by focusing on a few specific skills that will impact the writing of a particular child the most. For example, a youngster whose writing is virtually unreadable due to extremely poor spelling and lack of spacing between words might benefit most initially by learning to spell a set of common words and to space between words. When those skills are learned, instruction can move on to the next set of skills. From the earliest grades, instruction in basic writing skills should occur in the context of a more comprehensive writing program that encourages children to express their thoughts in writing and to write for enjoyment.

Objective
In this section you will learn about the importance of conventions for the emergent writer.