Time-saving strategies for formal writing assignments

the university writing center
"because writers need readers"

What is the UWC?

Time-saving Strategies for Formal Writing Assignments Save time by designing good assignments.
	Provide a problem, question, or thesis for your students to investigate.
	Provide information about rhetorical context, length and format.
	Provide a written assignment handout to which students (and writing consultants) can refer.

Save time by clarifying your grading criteria.
	Create scoring guides or draft check sheets.
	Hold an in-class norming session.

Save time by using a class hour for the generation of ideas. Possibilities:
	Collaborative small group tasks
	Paired interviews
	Guided brainstorming and free writing

Save time by having students submit something early in the writing process. Avoid asking for outlines. Instead, ask for:
	Prospectus
	2 sentences: Question & Thesis
	Abstracts
	Use these to identify students who need extra help.

Save time by having students conduct carefully planned peer reviews of drafts.
Require either response-centered or advice-centered reviews.
To preserve class time, consider out-of-class peer reviews.
Save time by referring students to the University Writing Center.
Recognize the value of the UWC for all writers, not just weak writers.
Stress the usefulness of the UWC at all stages of the writing process.
Save time by making one-on-one conferences as efficient as possible.
Focus first on global concerns (ideas, focus, organization, development).
Begin each conference by setting an agenda.
Save time by occasionally holding group paper conferences.
Save time by using efficient methods for giving written feedback.
Comment on late drafts rather than final products (or allow rewrites).
Make revision-oriented comments that focus on global concerns.
Use models feedback in lieu of traditional comments.
When time is at a premium, use a grading scale or scoring guide instead of making comments.
Save time by putting minimal comments on finished products that will not be revised.

(Adapted from John C. Bean. Engaging Ideas: The Professor's Guide to Integrating Writing, Critical Thinking, and Active Learning in the Classroom. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1996. 0-7879-0203-9)