Writing is thinking and when students write in Social Studies they must think critically about the events and issues they are studying.  Four basic types of writing are frequently used in Social Studies:  reporting, exposition, narration, and argumentation.  Students can report the basic facts about an event or person.  They can explain an idea or compare and contrast events.  Students can narrate an event from the point of view of a participant, or argue and defend or refute an idea or belief.  All of these types of writing demand that students think critically about the content they are exploring.

Websites on Writing in Social Studies:

Build a RAFTS Writing Prompt for Social Studies Class

http://www.writingfix.com/WAC/Writing_Across_Curriculum_RAFTS_Soc_Studies.htm

Popular Creative Writing Activities for Social Studies
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/creative-writing/social-studies/54697.html

Social Studies Writing Ideas

http://doe.sd.gov/curriculum/6plus1/docs/educators/across_the_curriculum/SocialStudies.doc

Writing a Social Studies Story
http://teachers-subject-guides.suite101.com/article.cfm/writing_a_great_story

Improving Writing Skills through Social Studies

http://www.ericdigests.org/pre-926/writing.htm