The National Council of Teachers of English has provided us English Instructors with some groundbreaking ideas about how we should teach writing to our students. Generally I found this information insightful and enlightening as it got me to reflect on the process of writing and how it should be approached with our students. Here are some of the ideas that I found most intriguing:
1.) Unlike some human experiences writing must be taught and for this reason everyone can be taught how to improve their writing ability. Everyone can learn to write.
2.) Writing is a process which begins long before words are placed on the page. Students thoughts and ideas must be stimulated before we ever begin to demand the written product.
3.) Students daily activities and interests can be used to teach writing to students. For example, activities like texting and the use of social web-sites are students' major modes of communication and using it as a writing tool for English makes the experience more authentic for students.
4.)In order to improve one's writing ability one must practice writing. Therefore teachers must provide lots of opportunity for students to practice their writing.
5.) The act of writing itself also helps our thinking process. Ideas come to us as we write.
6.) We write for numerous purposes, such as report writing, essay writing, creative writing and responding to examination questions. Therefore students should be taught that writing differs depending on the audience and purpose for the writing.
7.) Those who are proficient readers generally make better writers as reading can inform the way we write. Likewise, being a good writer can help one become a better reader.
These ideas should inform the way we approach teaching writing.
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