SPACE
A Planning Strategy for Writing
Harris, K.R., & Graham, S. (1992). Helping young writers master the craft: Strategy
instruction and self-regulation in the writing process. Cambridge, MA:
Brookline Books, pg. 76.
The SPACE strategy is the second step of a basic three-step writing strategy:
1. Think – Who will read this?
Why am I writing this?
2. Plan what to say.
3. Write and say more.
It is designed to help students make a writing plan and think about the details that
should be included in stories. Models, demonstrations, and guided practice should
be included when teaching students this strategy. The SPACE strategy includes
five prompts:
NOTE:
Setting
• Introduction of the main character, locale, and time of the story
• Plot of the story
Purpose
• What the main character strives to achieve
Action
• What is done to achieve the goal
Conclusion
• The results of the action
Emotions
• The main character’s reactions and feelings about various events in the
story