One of the best methods for teaching writing is modelling. Students benefit greatly from seeing examples of high-quality paragraphs and responses that are unpacked step by step. I find it useful to analyse exemplar responses with students and explicitly discuss why certain word choices, sentence structures, and techniques are effective. This helps students move beyond simply identifying techniques and towards understanding how writers construct meaning.

Another highly effective strategy is the use of guided writing. Many students struggle when they are expected to write independently without support. Breaking the process into smaller stages such as planning, topic sentences, integrating evidence, and analysis allows students to develop confidence gradually. Scaffolded activities and sentence starters can be particularly helpful for EAL/D learners and students who lack confidence in analytical writing.

I also believe feedback is one of the most important parts of teaching writing. Constructive feedback should be specific, achievable, and focused on improvement rather than just errors. Students respond best when feedback highlights strengths while also providing clear strategies for growth. Conferencing individually with students can also help them better understand how to improve their writing style and expression.

Additionally, students should regularly engage in reading sophisticated texts. Exposure to quality literature helps students absorb vocabulary, sentence structures, and stylistic techniques naturally. Encouraging students to imitate certain writing styles or experiment with different voices can strengthen their control over language.

Ultimately, teaching the craft of writing is about building student confidence and helping students recognise that writing is a process of drafting, refining, and shaping ideas; I hope this helps!

Eleni Nicholas