Friday, May 5, 2023

The Power of the Quick Write

Writing and teaching writing can be intimidating.  As any writer/teacher will tell you, it's hard work, and it takes time.  Quick Writes are a low-stakes, nimble instructional strategy that can help students learn to write and write to learn.  Moreover, Quick Writes can be used any time during a lesson.  I love them!  

To do a Quick Write, students are invited to write for three to ten minutes off a found idea, a borrowed line from a text, or responding to a stimulus - such as a painting, an image, or a piece of music.  The idea of a Quick Write is that it sparks a reaction in the mind of the writer. This process helps scholars generate ideas and get words on paper, without the pressure of it having to be perfect.  

If that's not enough to sway taking pen to paper, here are Seven Benefits of adding Quick Writes to your instructional repertoire:


Seven Benefits of Quick Writes 

1) Quick Writes build student confidence.

2) Quick Writes increase engagement and decreases lesson anxiety. 

3) Quick Writes improve student stamina and fluency in writing.

4) Quick Writes strengthen relationships in class community. 

5) Quick Writes develop the writer’s voice. 

6) Quick Writes foster a habit of writing: engages critical thinking, promotes reflection, amplifies creativity.

7)    Quick Writes synthesize content. 


One of the greatest gifts we can give our students is to instill in them the love and confidence of writing regularly. Quick Writes not only support our reluctant writers "who have nothing to write about," but the fluent writers who may be in need of fresh perspectives, new ideas, and exposure to different stimuli. Through daily writing experiences like Quick Writes, rising authors can find their voice while synthesizing content.  The stakes are low, but the rewards are extraordinarily high!



For more Quick Write Prompts and Inspo, 

Click HERE

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