Ontario · Grade 12
The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, University Preparation
- EWC4U
Ontario’s Grade 12 English course, from Investigating Writing to Practising Writing.
- Units
- 2
- Lessons
- 7
- Skills
- 16
- Provincial exam
- None
- Official curriculum
- Ontario Ministry of Education
Unit by unit
Every skill in the course, numbered by unit.
Unit 1 · 6 skills
Investigating Writing
Reading Like a Writer
Reading models of effective writing
I can read models of effective writing to learn the art and craft of writing.
Skill 1.1
Studying writers' processes and beliefs
I can explain the art and craft of writing from writers' own accounts of their process.
Skill 1.2
How Writers Use Form and Style
Analysing writers' use of form
I can analyse how writers use elements of form to communicate meaning.
Skill 1.3
Analysing writers' use of style
I can analyse how writers use elements of style to communicate meaning.
Skill 1.4
Writers' Lives and Writing Careers
How writers' lives shape their work
I can explain how a writer's experiences, beliefs, and context shape their work.
Skill 1.5
Researching writing careers
I can research writing careers and identify the skills they require.
Skill 1.6
The official wording · 6 outcomes
- 1.1
- read a range of teacher- and self-selected mod- els of effective writing to become familiar with the art, craft, and world of writing
- 1.2
- demonstrate an understanding of the art and craft of writing after examining interviews with and articles by writers about their writ- ing practices, processes, and beliefs
- 1.3
- analyse and assess the effectiveness of the ways in which writers use elements of form
- 1.4
- analyse and assess the effectiveness of the ways in which writers use elements of style
- 1.5
- explain various ways in which works by selected writers from Canada and around the world are influenced by the writers’ personal experiences, beliefs, and socio-cultural con- texts
- 1.6
- research a variety of opportunities and/or careers in writing-related fields, and identify the skills needed to pursue them
Key ideas
Reading a wide range of effective writing — including diverse and Aboriginal authors, and beginning writers in small publications — shows how the craft works.
Elements of form — verse structure, stage directions, point of view, headings, charts, layout — shape meaning.
Writers from Canada and around the world are influenced by their personal experiences, beliefs, and socio-cultural contexts.
Studying models familiarizes a writer with the art, craft, and world of writing.
Analysing them shows how effectively a writer conveys a message.
Watch out for
- Thinking reading models is separate from becoming a writer.
- Thinking form is just a container with no effect on meaning.
- Thinking a writer's work is unconnected to their life and context.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 2 · 10 skills
Practising Writing
Exploring Ideas, Forms, and Styles
Generating ideas for writing projects
I can independently generate and explore ideas for writing projects.
Skill 2.1
Experimenting with form and style
I can experiment with forms and styles to develop my own writing voice.
Skill 2.2
Drafting and Revising
Organizing ideas to draft for purpose and audience
I can select and organize ideas to draft a text suited to its purpose and audience.
Skill 2.3
Using forms and style to communicate effectively
I can use appropriate forms and stylistic elements to communicate effectively.
Skill 2.4
Revising drafts for clarity and effect
I can revise a draft's content, form, and style to make it clear and effective.
Skill 2.5
Editing, Proofreading, and Publishing
Editing and proofreading with conventions
I can edit and proofread my work using the conventions of language.
Skill 2.6
Producing and publishing polished work
I can produce and present polished work suited to its purpose and audience.
Skill 2.7
Collaborative Writing
Generating ideas collaboratively
I can generate and explore writing ideas collaboratively in a workshop.
Skill 2.8
Giving constructive feedback to peers
I can give peers constructive feedback on their works in progress.
Skill 2.9
Assessing peers' drafts to aid revision
I can assess a peer's draft against criteria to aid their revision.
Skill 2.10
The official wording · 10 outcomes
- 2.1
- generate and explore ideas for potential writ- ing projects independently through reflection, reading, listening, viewing, and research
- 2.2
- use text forms and stylistic elements in experi- mental ways to develop an effective personal writing style
- 2.3
- select and organize ideas and information to draft texts appropriate for the purpose and
- 2.4
- use appropriate text forms and stylistic ele- ments to communicate ideas and experiences effectively in their writing
- 2.5
- revise drafts by reviewing and refining con- tent, form, and stylistic elements to produce clear, coherent, and effective written work
- 2.6
- edit and proofread their written work, apply- ing the conventions of spelling, usage, punctu- ation, and grammar appropriately and effec- tively
- 2.7
- produce polished written work, using a vari- ety of effective presentation features appropri- ate for the purpose and intended audience
- 2.8
- generate and explore ideas for potential writing projects collaboratively through brainstorming and other discussions with a partner or as a group in a workshop setting
- 2.9
- provide constructive feedback to peers on works in progress by working with a partner or as a group in a workshop setting
- 2.10
- assess peers’ written drafts, working with a partner or as a group in a workshop setting, to aid peers in their revision process
Key ideas
Writers generate ideas through reflection, reading, listening, viewing, and research.
Drafting starts by selecting and organizing the strongest ideas and information.
Editing and proofreading apply the conventions of spelling, usage, punctuation, and grammar.
Brainstorming and discussion with partners or groups generate ideas a solo writer might miss.
A writer's notebook and rapid writing capture ideas for later projects.
Watch out for
- Waiting for inspiration instead of actively generating ideas.
- Drafting everything without selecting or organizing first.
- Trusting a spell-checker to catch every error.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Plan the term
Pick your term and the days you study. Each unit gets its share of the weeks and comes back a week later for a review. The last two weeks go over the whole course.
Which course?
Ontario has 4 English courses for Grade 12. Here they are side by side.
- English, Grade 12, College PreparationENG4C4 units · 61 skillsNo provincial examWhat it coversOral Communication · Reading and Literature Studies · Writing · Media Studies
- English, Grade 12, University PreparationENG4U4 units · 62 skillsNo provincial examWhat it coversOral Communication · Reading and Literature Studies · Writing · Media Studies
- Studies in Literature, Grade 12, University PreparationETS4U5 units · 18 skillsNo provincial examWhat it coversUnderstanding Texts · Analysing Texts · Critical Literacy · Literary Criticism · The Role of Literature in Society
- The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, University PreparationThis courseEWC4U2 units · 16 skillsNo provincial examWhat it coversInvestigating Writing · Practising Writing
What a university, college or program asks for is theirs to say: check its admission page, and your school’s course guide.
The official curriculum
This page follows Ontario’s own curriculum for The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, University Preparation.
Textbooks
The textbooks Ontario Ministry of Education lists for The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, University Preparation:
- Get It Written, Get It Right!
- The Writer's Craft
From the Trillium List, read October 27, 2026. ontario.ca
Study it in MapleMind
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Course Companion
Your year in one workbook
A fun way to keep The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, University Preparation organized, get to know your child better and see early when they need a hand. Fill it in on a screen, or print it.
- Pages
- 22
- Fillable fields
- 1,103
- Price
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Questions about The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, University Preparation
What is The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, University Preparation?
Ontario’s Grade 12 English course: 2 units and 16 skills, from Investigating Writing to Practising Writing.
What units are in The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, University Preparation?
1. Investigating Writing and 2. Practising Writing.
Is there a provincial exam for The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, University Preparation?
No. Ontario gives no provincial exam for The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, University Preparation.
What textbook does The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, University Preparation use?
The textbooks Ontario Ministry of Education lists for The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, University Preparation: Get It Written, Get It Right!, Emond Montgomery Publications Ltd. and The Writer's Craft, Harcourt Canada.
Can MapleMind help with The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, University Preparation?
Yes. MapleMind teaches every skill of The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, University Preparation, step by step, with practice and checks, and its tutor answers questions about any of them. It’s free with daily limits, on iPhone, Android and the web.
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