Time Saving Strategies
- Design good assignments
Assign exploratory writing; consider using microthemes. Create assignment handouts specifying task, purpose, audience, criteria, desired manuscript form.
- Clarify your grading criteria
Create a scoring guide or peer review checksheet. Hold an in-class norming session.
- Devote a class hour to generating ideas
Create a small group brainstorming task. Have members of pairs interview one another.
- Have students submit something to you early in the writing process
Consider asking for a prospectus, a question-plus-thesis summary, or an abstract. Use these to identify students who need extra help.
- Have students be the first readers of each other’s drafts
Require peer reviews (either response-centered or advice centered)
To preserve class time, consider out-of-class peer reviews. - Refer students to your writing center (or lobby to start one). Recognize the value of writing centers for all writers, not just weak writers
Stress the usefulness of writing centers at all stages of the writing process.
- Make one-on-one conferences efficient
Focus first on higher-order concerns (ideas, focus, organization and development)
Begin each conference by setting an agenda. Develop a repertoire of conferencing strategies. Consider using idea maps and tree diagrams. - Consider holding group conferences early in the writing process.
- Use efficient methods for giving feedback on papers
Comment on late drafts rather than final products (or allow rewrites)
Make revision-oriented comments, focusing first on higher-order concerns. When time is at a premium, use a grading scale or a scoring guide instead of making comments. - Put minimal comments on finished products that will not be revised.
- Read John Bean’s Engaging Ideas. Jossey-Bass, 1996.