Developing effective writing skills that demonstrate a distinctive style requires utilizing a
variety of strategies actively and simultaneously. The writing process can seem daunting and
intimating to emerging writers. Fortunately, there are interventions and supporting strategies that
students, teachers, parents, and other community members can use to create writing experiences
that are authentic and meaningful. With the support of teachers and families, students can
discover the value of writing. This informational essay discusses several writing strategies that
encourage young writers to take ownership over their writing skills and learning.
Finding and maintaining motivation is crucial throughout the writing process. According
to Assaf and Johnson (2014), teachers can help motivate students by giving students
opportunities to learn through discovery and experiences of problem solving. This instructional
strategy can lead to purposeful writing that is authentic and valuable to the student. Writing to a
real audience can also be very motivating for students because it is an opportunity to share their
experiences and ideas with others. According to Camacho and Alves (2017), parental
involvement during the writing process can positively impact a child’s writing development and
motivation. Positive parental feedback and praise encourages students to share their writing
experiences through writing, and influences a positive attitude about literacy. When students
find value in writing, this attitude promotes engagement and motivation throughout the writing
process.
Teachers play an immeasurable role in shaping a student’s writing development. Since
teachers hold this incredible responsibility, it is important that teachers actively reflect on their
instructional strategies and continues to advance through professional development. According
to Kaplan (2009), teachers can also participate in professional learning communities that offer support of best practices and collaboration among other teachers. Two effective strategies for
supporting young writers that Assaf and Johnson (2014) discuss are the Spiral Model –
continuously building upon prior knowledge, and deep scaffolding – pre-planning to meet the
student’s needs and incorporating appropriate adaptations. Teachers can implement a variety of
instructional strategies that support their students’ writing development.
Reflection encourages teachers and students to think critically about areas of strength and
areas where improvement is needed. Tomkins (2008) discusses the importance of actively and
deliberately monitoring and self-regulating throughout the writing process. Teachers and
students both benefit from using reflective strategies. Teachers, who reflect on their instructional
strategies, can gain an understanding of when scaffolding is appropriate. A decrease in support
allows the students to take on more responsibility and ownership over their writing. Modeling
writing strategies also helps students monitor and self-regulate writing development. Modeling
strategies include think aloud, modeling, and guided practices. Effective reflection encourages
both the teacher and the student to improve continually.
Writing involves many simultaneous cognitive and physical processes. The writing
process is a continuous cycle of finding motivation, using writing strategies, and reflecting
deeply upon the development. Students, teachers, families, and other community members can
collaboratively create a positive attitude about writing. The people that surround young writers
are also important components that influence and shape a young writer’s successful achievement
of effective and meaningful writing. There are endless resources, strategies, and support that are
available for students and teachers to help encourage positive growth.
References
Assaf, L.C. & Johnson. J. (2014). A call for action: engaging in purposeful, real-world writing.
National Council for Teachers of English: Voices from the Middle, 21(3), 24-33.
