Welcome to the final post in our blog series on "Writing Next: Effective strategies to improve writing of adolescents in middle and high schools,” a 2007 research report outlining eleven research-backed instructional practices that educators can use when teaching writing skills to adolescents. As professional writing tutors, we rely on a mix of personal experience and peer-reviewed research when designing our lesson plans and determining how to improve our students’ outcomes week by week. Like many in our field, we have found the “Writing Next” report to be an invaluable resource as we go about this work – the slow, methodical work of teaching our pupils how to write not only “well,” but compellingly, with gusto and inspiration. 

We hope this series has been informative to all of our followers, clients, and student readers! Today, we’ll discuss the final three instructional practices outlined in the report, explaining each practice and how GWG’s writing tutors use it in the field. 

Practice 9: Process Writing Approach: 

“The process writing approach stresses activities that emphasize extended opportunities for writing, writing for real audiences, self-reflection, personalized instruction and goals, and cycles of planning, translating, and reviewing”(pg. 20). 

The “process writing approach” trains students to view each sequential phase of the writing process as its own crucial assignment, rather than considering the output of these phases as optional or secondary in importance to their final draft. (These phases include prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.) Ironically, research indicates that directing students’ attention away from their end product and toward these other parts of the writing process tends to significantly improve the quality of the former. By focusing on the practical “how” insead of the ideal “what,” on the journey instead of the destination, young writers learn to consistently create better, more effectively structured work. 

At the Gilliam Writers Group, we embrace the process writing approach, guiding our students through multiple stages of drafting, feedback, and revision. We critique their output at every stage of this sequence, rather than reserving our comments for the final draft alone. In fact, taking private lessons with a writing tutor online makes it especially easy to benefit from the process writing approach; all that one-on-one attention, plus the visual, immediate nature of digital communication, makes for a seamlessly collaborative experience of revision and feedback. Annotations appear directly on the student’s document, and the tutor can explain them (and demonstrate their implications) in real time. Best of all, each draft of a given assignment, along with all the critiques and comments it received, can be pulled up for comparison at any moment, making it easy to track the evolution of a student’s work over time. 

Practice 10: Study of Models:

“Students are encouraged to analyze these examples and to emulate the critical elements, patterns, and forms embodied in the models in their own writing”(pg. 20).

By analyzing and studying models of good writing, students gain insights into effective writing techniques, structures, and styles. Examining models across different genres and subjects helps students develop a sense of what constitutes quality writing and develop a deeper understanding of effective writing techniques. 

Our writing tutors know how to immerse students in the study of well-crafted academic essays, literary narratives, and persuasive works. This process is not just about reading; it's about deep analysis and understanding. Examining these models provides our students with insight into the principles of style, organization, and language use, which they can then apply to their own writing (under our guidance, of course) until they get it right. We encourage them to ask questions, identify patterns, and draw parallels between different writings. The idea is to cultivate an intuitive grasp of what resonates with sophisticated readers, and, in our experience, the practice of studying models really does help students achieve this end. Their transformation is often profound. They begin to write with greater clarity, coherence, and ingenuity. Their sentences flow more naturally than before, and their points become clearer as they learn to articulate arguments with greater precision. If you're looking to find a writing tutor who can facilitate such results, the Gilliam Writers Group stands out for its commitment to this evidence-based instructional approach.

Practice 11: Writing for Content Area Learning:

“Note that in the writing-to-learn approach, the teacher assigns writing tasks but does not provide explicit instruction in writing skills. Thus, writing is a tool of learning content material rather than an end in itself”(pg. 21).

One of the most effective yet often overlooked strategies outlined in the 2007 research report "Writing Next" is the practice of writing for content area learning. This practice is rooted in the principle that writing is a powerful tool for deepening comprehension and synthesis, not just in language arts, but across various academic disciplines. By completing writing assignments in classes like science, social studies, or math, students reinforce their content knowledge while developing their writing skills. When students are assigned writing tasks in non-ELA subjects, they’re not just practicing how to write; they’re using writing as a medium to process, reflect upon, and solidify their understanding of the course material.

Our writing tutoring service takes this concept to heart. GWG tutors promote writing for content learning across various subjects. We won’t just connect you with a language arts tutor near you or online; we’ll put you in touch with an expert on the links between learning and writing – someone who understands the value of generating interdisciplinary prose. This integrative approach ensures that writing becomes a tool for enhanced learning, encouraging students to deepen their understanding of subject matter, develop critical thinking skills, and improve their ability to communicate effectively in different academic contexts. In our view, writing is not an isolated skill but a powerful ally in mastering any subject.

Conclusion: 

If you're looking for a writing tutoring service that goes beyond the conventional, the Gilliam Writers Group stands out for its forward-thinking and integrative methodologies. We’re dedicated to implementing effective instructional strategies that have been proven to strengthen the writing skills of adolescents.  By incorporating the eleven strategies outlined in the report "Writing Next," we create a supportive and engaging environment where students can thrive as writers. Whether it's teaching writing strategies, promoting collaboration, setting specific goals, or integrating technology, our tutors empower students to become confident and proficient writers across various genres and subjects. Through our tailored approach, we aim to equip students with the essential skills they need to succeed academically and in their future endeavors.

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