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Write By Number

The simplest writing program
you’ll ever use.

Stage 1

Write by Number — the Power of Structured Creativity

Write by Number is a K-12 curriculum, designed for learners of all ages to start at Stage 1 and progress at their own paces, mastering the art of writing one step at a time. With Write by Number, writing becomes as straightforward as painting by number – each sentence having a specific job, creating a vibrant tapestry with a clear message.

Overview

Sentences → Paragraphs → Essays

Stage 1Sentence basics, grammar, and writing standards
Stage 2Three-sentence paragraphs, sentence connections, and indenting
Stage 3Five-sentence paragraphs with supporting details
Stage 4Five-sentence paragraphs, excluding there constructions
Stage 5Five-sentence paragraphs, omitting to be verbs
Stage 6Five-sentence paragraphs with first six sentence patterns
Stage 7Seven-sentence paragraphs with next six sentence patterns
Stage 8Seven-sentence paragraphs, moving a topic sentence around, and more sentence patterns
Stage 9Four-paragraph essays with varied sentence patterns
Stage 10Five-paragraph essays, writing interesting introductions and conclusions, and using complex sentence patterns
Stage 11Eight-paragraph essays, developing interesting detail paragraphs, and using complex sentence patterns
Stage 12Essay outlining and organization techniques
Write by Number: Stages 1-12
Image shows a student sitting at a desk, confused

No More Guesswork – Just Writing Success

For most students, our structured approach is a sigh of relief. No more guessing what to write or feeling lost in feedback. Our method ensures that every effort counts, guiding students through crafting well-organized essays with confidence.

From Basic Skills to Creative Flair

Think of Write by Number as the foundational art class for writing. We teach the essential skills in writing — just as an art class teaches skills like shading or perspective — to build a strong understructure that supports creative expression. As students become more confident and learn to organize their ideas, their creativity will flourish naturally.

Sentence Patterns in a paragraph with colors.

Sentence Patterns: Grammar that Matters

Write by Number teaches grammar with a purpose — to make writing more interesting! Sentence Patterns elevate writing from mundane to exceptional. By learning to vary sentence structures and vocabulary, students learn to express the same ideas in multiple, compelling ways, just like professional writers.

Example

Pattern #1 Use a vivid, active verb
Pattern #3 Write an exclamatory sentence
Pattern #4 Open with an adverb
Pattern #5 Open with a prepositional phrase
Pattern #6 Write a sentence in which the verb precedes the subject
Pattern #7 Use conversation or a quotation
Pattern #8 Use apposition

Before

I went three places. First, I went to Paris. I was sick while we were there. Second, I went to Rome. There was a taxi there. Third, I went to the beach. It was pretty.

After

On our vacation we visited three places. The first place we visited was Paris. Unfortunately I spent the entire time in the hotel room with the stomach flu. The second place we visited was Rome. We sped through the streets in a taxi, yelling, Let us out! The last place we visited was a beach in Corfu, an island in Greece. Across the sand crept a crab toward my toe.

The Write by Number Difference

Traditional writing instruction often leaves students feeling lost, like they’re not sure how to make their ideas clear or say what they really mean. Write by Number changes the game by providing a clear, step-by-step guide on how to write everything from simple sentences to complex essays.

Blocks shaped like stairs showing "Step by Step"
Image shows two men writing in the workplace

Communication Success

Why teach expositional writing? Very few students will make a living as creative writers, but all students must be able to write coherent paragraphs and essays, both in school and for the rest of their lives. Write by Number gives every student the tools to succeed in effective communication, in the classroom and in the workplace.

Experience the
Write by Number Method

Where every student can learn to write

What Makes
Write By Number so Simple?

Simple Package

You can stop asking, Which program do I use after this one?

  • One set of books covers K-12. 
  • Every lesson and assignment is included.
  • Ready for you to “open and go.”
Write by Number set: Student Book and Teacher Book
Table of Contents shows Stages 1-12

Simple Start

You can stop asking, Where do I start?

  • Every student starts at the beginning. 
  • There are no placement tests, no grade levels, no flow charts.
  • Students move from Stage 1 to Stage 12 at their own paces.

Simple Steps

You can stop wondering, When will I have time to prep all of this?

  • No watching hours of teacher DVDs or teacher training
  • No big leaps in expectations for students
  • No scary learning curve for teachers
Write by Number is easy to start
Sample evaluation checklist

Simple Grading

You can stop wondering, Am I being too tough or too lenient?

  • Students either move on or keep practicing until they’ve mastered the concept.
  • Objective standards take the guesswork out of grading assignments.​

Simplify Your Writing Process

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Thirty Years of Success Stories

At this moment in time, it feels like Write by Number is the perfect writing curriculum for us and for my kids. I looked high and low for a writing program that we would enjoy and that would work well for over a year. It’s been phenomenal so far, and I’m beyond relieved that we discovered it.

We are loving [WBN]. My son’s writing has improved greatly, and he likes it because he can write on any topic he wants using the writing format.

This is a fantastic program for someone who wants a systematic and explicit approach to writing without feeling too formulaic. It gives the flexibility to teach through any content and can be Fast-Tracked or paced slowly depending on your student’s needs. My son really enjoys the way it’s broken down, and the color-coded outlines make sense to him.

Write Your Success Story

Try Write by Number free for 14 days.