The Science of Effective Writing Instruction

This white paper presents ten research-based recommendations for effective elementary school writing instruction, emphasizing explicit teaching, foundational skills, and the integration of writing into daily learning activities.

1. Provide Opportunities to Write and Learn to Write Well: Writing instruction should be a regular part of literacy programs, with students engaging in daily writing practice to build proficiency. Research shows that more frequent writing leads to better outcomes. 
2. Create a Writing Environment That Supports and Encourages Writing: A nurturing classroom environment with accessible writing materials, technological tools, and visual aids fosters motivation and achievement. Writing centers with diverse tools and resources, such as story maps and vocabulary aids, enhance student engagement. 
3. Engage Students in the Writing Process: Teaching the writing process—prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing—improves writing quality. Teachers should model these steps and guide students through recursive and flexible use of the process. 
4. Teach Students How to Write and Write Well: Explicit instruction in writing strategies, such as POW (Pick ideas, Organize notes, Write and say more) and TREE (Topic, Reasons, Explanations, Ending), empowers students to craft thoughtful and effective compositions. 
5. Teach Relevant Foundational Skills: Foundational skills like spelling, handwriting, keyboarding, and sentence construction are essential for freeing cognitive resources for higher-level writing tasks. Instruction in these areas improves both writing quality and confidence.
6. Provide High-Quality Instruction: Effective teaching uses a gradual release of responsibility, where teachers model strategies, guide group practice, and foster independent writing. Authentic writing tasks, such as composing for real audiences, further enhance learning. 
7. Create a Community of Writers: Collaborative activities, such as peer brainstorming, shared writing, and feedback sessions, build a supportive writing community. Teachers should model writing behaviors and encourage sensitivity in peer interactions. 
8. Boost Students’ Writing Motivation: Writing can be challenging, but strategies like allowing student choice, connecting writing to authentic purposes, and balancing revision expectations help sustain motivation and engagement. 
9. Connect Reading and Writing: Reading and writing share foundational skills and benefit from integrated instruction. Writing about texts improves comprehension, while reading enhances writing by providing models and insights into audience needs.
10. Use Writing to Increase Knowledge: Writing across subjects, such as science, social studies, and math, deepens understanding and mastery of content. Students should write daily to explore and explain concepts, reinforcing their learning.

These recommendations aim to develop confident, purposeful writers through explicit instruction, practice, and integration of writing into all areas of learning. By fostering motivation, collaboration, and authentic writing experiences, educators can help students become skilled communicators and critical thinkers.