Review by Leslie Crenna, Common Sense Education | Updated March 2013
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Lists for Writers

Get it now
  • Download on Google Play
  • Download from App Store
  • Download on Amazon

Save struggling students from writer's block with tidy creative tool

Subjects & skills
Subjects
  • Arts
  • English Language Arts
Skills
  • Communication & Collaboration
  • Creativity
Grades This grade range is a recommendation by Common Sense Education and not the developer/publisher.
4–12
Great for:
Common Sense says (See details)
Teachers say (1 Review)
Price:  Android $1.99; iOS $2.99
Platforms:  Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire

Take a look inside

5 images
The top of the main page starts with the Character section and follows with Personality.
In the Words section, the Adjectives list begins with aback.
The middle of the main page includes words related to Setting and a Miscellaneous section for commonly used words, like for animals.
A Fantasy, Myths, and Magic section might spark some interest in literature or mythology.
The Plot section includes Dramatic Situations listings – for example, Deliverance, Pursuit, and Disaster – plus short basic descriptions of each.

Pros: Kids can run wild with the extensive lists of words, plot ideas, characters, and more.

Cons: Without a tutorial or much guidance, kids may need extra help getting started.

Bottom Line: Lists for Writers provides well-organized creative fodder for writers of all ages.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

Assign students the challenge of writing the wildest, most ridiculous one-page story they can, using as many of Lists for Writers' words and ideas as possible. They'll see how vibrant a piece of writing can be and may be inspired to continue exploring the world they've created. Make sure kids understand that using lists isn't "cheating" but rather a tool that many real writers use to get started with their own work.

Moving forward, kids can tone it down: Have them develop a two-paragraph character study using at least three words from each section under Character, or start a classroom discussion of favorite stories to see how they fit the basic plot structures outlined in the app.

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Standards:

Lists for Writers lights kids' creative spark by providing lists of essential words and concepts. Quirky character names, personality words, settings, action verbs, rhyming words, colors, and emotions are just a few of the lists available that students can draw from here.  Writers in grades 4-12 can easily mix and match the above to create rich sentences like this: "Enamored, Parker grabbed his jacket and ran out of the pastry shop, leaving a slice of mincemeat pie behind." A plot section adds a bit more depth into creating a well-rounded piece of writing with "the 7 basic plots," 36 dramatic situations, 7 conflict types, and a huge list of "issues," from "abandonment" to "yelling."

Upon opening the app, users find a main menu list offering about 50 items in six categories. Some lists, like Phobias and Plots, have additional information. There are no in-app controls or buttons. All navigation is controlled by tapping text in lists or going back with the device's back button.

Kids can use technology to acquire and use words that convey ideas and experiences precisely, including concrete words and sensory details. They'll sharpen storytelling fluency and develop a greater variety of words and plotlines in their writing. Literary forms like poems, scripts, short stories, and novels are all supported by the app's brainstorming catalysts that identify emotions and help characters move beyond obstacles. The plot section can also help developing writers understand traditional story structure and apply it to new pieces.

Motivated kids who are ready to write will browse the very organized and accessible lists and select words that appeal to them, fit a purpose, or satisfy an assignment. Most kids, however, will need some guidance or specific activities to understand how to put the lists to use. With a bit of structure, Lists for Writers could be especially helpful for kids who may not consider themselves skilled writers, alleviating the initial frustration of writer's block and giving kids some concrete ideas to get started, work with, and maybe even enjoy developing.

Overall Rating
Engagement Is the product stimulating, entertaining, and engrossing? Will kids want to return?

The presentation is spare without graphics, audio, or activities, and it works; however, the app might benefit from a brief tutorial that allows users to select words and put a sentence together.

Pedagogy Is learning content seamlessly baked-in, and do kids build conceptual understanding? Is the product adaptable and empowering? Will skills transfer?

This app could be the basis for writing activities for a range of ages and could stand on its own with only brief explanation.

Support Does the product take into account learners of varying abilities, skill levels, and learning styles? Does it address both struggling and advanced students?

While it lacks a tutorial and there are no references to other resources, the navigation is as simple as can be.

Common Sense Reviewer
Leslie Crenna
About our ratings and privacy evaluation.

Key Standards Supported

Language

  • L.4.3

    Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

  • L.4.3a

    Choose words and phrases to convey ideas precisely.*

  • L.4.6

    Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal precise actions, emotions, or states of being (e.g., quizzed, whined, stammered) and that are basic to a particular topic (e.g., wildlife, conservation, and endangered when discussing animal preservation).

  • L.5.3

    Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

  • L.5.6

    Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal contrast, addition, and other logical relationships (e.g., however, although, nevertheless, similarly, moreover, in addition).

  • L.6.3

    Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

  • L.6.6

    Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.

  • L.7.3

    Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

  • L.7.3a

    Choose language that expresses ideas precisely and concisely, recognizing and eliminating wordiness and redundancy.*

  • L.7.6

    Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.

  • L.8.3

    Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

  • L.8.6

    Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.

  • L.9-10.4c

    Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning, its part of speech, or its etymology.

  • L.9-10.6

    Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.

  • L.11-12.4c

    Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning, its part of speech, its etymology, or its standard usage.

  • L.11-12.6

    Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.

Writing

  • W.4.6

    With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of one page in a single sitting.

  • W.4.2

    Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

  • W.4.3

    Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

  • W.5.6

    With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of two pages in a single sitting.

  • W.5.2

    Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

  • W.5.3

    Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

  • W.6.6

    Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of three pages in a single sitting.

  • W.6.2

    Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

  • W.6.3

    Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.

  • W.7.6

    Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and link to and cite sources as well as to interact and collaborate with others, including linking to and citing sources.

  • W.7.2

    Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

  • W.7.3

    Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.

  • W.8.6

    Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas efficiently as well as to interact and collaborate with others.

  • W.8.2

    Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

  • W.8.3

    Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.

  • W.9-10.6

    Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.

  • W.9-10.2

    Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

  • W.9-10.3

    Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.

  • W.11-12.6

    Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information.

  • W.11-12.2

    Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

  • W.11-12.3

    Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.

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Teacher Reviews

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Featured review by
Susie L. , Classroom teacher
Classroom teacher
Cecil Intermediate School
McDonald, United States
This is a helpful list of... what else? Lists!
My reasons for supporting this app in (you got it!) list form: Reasons I like List for Writers – ideas for creative writing 1. It is simple and neat. As the title suggests, List is full of lists, including those relating to characters, personalities, plot, setting, and words. There are no graphics or anything else to distract you. 2. It is comprehensive. Each list contains hundreds of suggestions for words you might need in each of many categories. For example, there is a list for first names (a list for both male and female), last names, occupations, clothing, people, and even body types! The action verb and adjective lists would be particularly useful in narrative writing. I also really like the list of seven basic plots. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them laid out so plainly! 3. With a simple tap, most words are defined by a built-in dictionary. 4. You can copy and save your favorites to a notepad while you continue to generate ideas and formulate your ideas. However, the app could be improved with the addition of a "favorites" option, thesaurus, and more than one notepad. It would be great paired with writing prompts also. It is very plain, but this may be better.
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