Strategies for Handling the Paper Load
You Want to Assign Writing But….
Strategies for Handling the Paper Load
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Rely on more, but shorter (possibly even ungraded) assignments.
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Don’t respond to every draft of every paper yourself. Train students to respond to each others’ early drafts.
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When you do respond to drafts, operate from a clear hierarchy of values (such as purpose, structure, style and grammar/mechanics). Repond to higher-order problems first; limit yourself to two or three issues per paper.
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Don’t respond to grammar and mechanics as your primary concern in early drafts.
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When you DO respond to grammar and mechanics, focus..
- on categories of error you consider most serious
- on patterns of error rather than marking all individual errors
- on no more than two or three patterns per paper
- sit on your hands if you have to
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Show your students how the writing process works, with special attention to generative stages and revision. Consider spending class time showing them how to revise.
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Consider using some kind of checklist for final, graded drafts.
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Read: How to Handle the Paper Load. (Urbana, IL: National Council Teachers of English, 1979).
Source: How to Handle the Paper Load. (Urbana, IL: National Council Teachers of English, 1979).