Five tips to improve student writing

For most people, writing is no easy task. It requires significant discipline, attention, and cognitive focus. And for young students in elementary grades who are just beginning to learn the basics of writing, it can be especially daunting. A student’s success in being able to express themselves in a well-organized and cohesive narrative that is engaging to read requires that they develop a good understanding of the process of writing. Here are five tips that will help teachers provide their students with a solid foundation to improve their writing.

First, teach your students the importance of creating a plan for producing text

It is important that your students create a plan so that they thoroughly understand each phase or stage of the writing process such as prewriting, drafting, revising, proofreading, and publishing. Among the basics that educators should teach is how to decide on the goal of the narrative, how to organize ideas and supporting arguments throughout the text, how to use appropriate transitions between sentences and paragraphs, and how to construct a conclusion that ties everything together. The development of a good plan before beginning to write is critical to producing a well-crafted piece of written work.

Keep your students engaged in their writing

When assigning a writing topic to your students, choose a subject that will interest them. Studies show that young students who were interested in what they were writing about stayed on task longer, exhibited greater discipline in producing well-written text, and found the writing process to be more enjoyable. This allows students to get more practice in writing, which enables them to enhance their writing skills, leading to greater academic success.

Consider using rubrics or graphic organizers

Some teachers may use rubrics or graphic organizers which provide guidance to students on meeting requirements for composition structure, content, diction, tone, and other elements of writing. These instructional aids can be especially helpful for those students who are struggling with their writing or those who may have a learning disability.

Have your students assess their own written work throughout the writing process

As students proceed with writing a draft, they should periodically stop and review what they have written to see if it is coherent and reads well. This practice will encourage students to think about word choice and consider whether portions of their written work should be revised for better continuity and flow. This also helps students develop self-regulating skills that will make them more adept at monitoring their own progress and proficiency in writing.

Reassure your students that it is okay to seek help

Finally, remind your students that even the most skilled writers may encounter difficulties in producing a well-written composition and this is often just an intrinsic part of the writing process itself. As such, students should seek the help of parents, teachers, or even their peers if they need guidance with their writing. Some researchers describe this as the “social engagement” aspect of writing and suggest that seeking outside help may not only assist in overcoming a writer’s block but can also serve as an important means by which students brainstorm and generate new, creative ideas to use in producing text.

To learn more about how to engage young students in writing, read this article by faculty in the Elementary Education and Literacy programs in George Mason University’s School of Education. For more information about degree offerings in these two disciplines, please visit the program websites.