Writing Across The Curriculum

Benefits of Writing Across the Curriculum

Motivating students who don’t enjoy writing is challenging, but incorporating thematic and interdisciplinary unit planning strategies can help create a more engaging and meaningful learning experience.  Give students choices.  Provide students with options and autonomy in writing topics to increase interest and motivation (American College of Education, 2019).  Students are more likely to become and stay engaged by connecting writing to their lives—through project-based learning.  Design interdisciplinary projects that require students to use paper to explore and communicate their understanding.  For example, in a food class, students can write a research report, a persuasive essay, or a reflection paper.  By integrating writing into hands-on, collaborative projects, students will see the practical applications of their writing.  Finally, an authentic audience will also motivate students.  Teachers can provide opportunities for students to share their reports with an original audience beyond the classroom.  This can be done by publishing work online, creating a class blog, organizing a literature magazine, or writing for the yearbook or school paper.  When students know their writing will be read and appreciated (maybe even judged) by others, it can boost their motivation and sense of purpose.

Evidence-based differentiated learning techniques for utilizing writing across the curriculum (WAC) include the Writing Process Approach.  Emphasize the various stages of the writing process, including prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.  Provide explicit instruction and opportunities for students to engage in each step, gradually allowing them to develop their writing skills (KU Writing Center, 2023).  Graphic organizers are a second option.  Teachers can use graphic organizers, such as mind maps, Venn diagrams, or concept maps, to help students organize their thoughts before writing.  These visual tools help provide structure and support, enabling students to generate ideas and plan their writing effectively.  Finally, encourage peer collaboration and feedback by implementing strategies like peer editing or writing workshops.  Collaborative writing activities enable students to learn from their peers, share ideas, and receive constructive feedback (Vass et al., 2008).

References

American College of Education. (2019). Module 3: Writing across the curriculum (wac) part 1: transcript: interdisciplinary unit planning. Retrieved July 25, 2023, from https://ace.instructure.com/courses/1916004/modules/items/35884629

KU Writing Center. (2023). The writing process. Retrieved July 25, 2023, from https://writing.ku.edu/writing-processLinks to an external site.

Vass, E., Littleton, K., Miell, D., & Jones, A. (2008). The discourse of collaborative creative writing: Peer collaboration as a context for mutual inspiration. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 3(3), 192–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2008.09.001