Description: Express Writing is a short, focused writing in response to a specific prompt. As a pre-reading strategy, express writing helps to activate students’ prior knowledge and provides a starting point for a class discussion or new lesson. Express writing serves as a connection to new concepts or ideas required for student learning. It can link previous learning experiences with current ones. While generally not graded, points (i.e., 10-20 points) may be awarded for completion. Express writing can be used as an informal assessment tool and is excellent preparation for timed writing examinations.
Step-by-Step
- Formulate a statement or question related to the content for students to respond to within a specified amount of time, usually 5 to 10 minutes. When used as a starter or bell work, express writing allows time for teachers to take care of business before beginning formal instruction.
- Used during or after reading, it allows students to think and reflect upon the concepts presented in the reading or the reading strategy being used to support the reading.
- Students are assured that the purpose is for them to express their thoughts and ideas without laboring over the mechanics of writing although mistakes may be noted.
- When the time limit expires, students may share their responses with a partner, engage in a class discussion, and/or turn them in for teacher review.
Extensions
- Teachers should read express writings. Some teachers circle mistakes and encourage students to identify and correct mistakes.
- Remember: These are not to be used for formal assessment, but repeated mistakes can lead to a writer’s workshop where grammar skills are reviewed using express writings as the springboard.
- Use express writings as exploration for future writing assignments.
- Coordinate the topics over a week. Guide students through the process of organizing their express writings into an essay.
Graphic organizers for writing that can be used to help get students into habit of express writing: