“So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads. ”

– Dr. Seuss, Author

Write Tight

Did you know?

Writing is the signature means of communication in the 21st century. “Writing helps convey ideas, solve problems and understand our changing world.” And, while today’s employers are demanding clear and concise writing, students are not delivering the goods. Regardless of your discipline, offering students easy and relevant writing tips can be incredibly valuable. One of the fundamental rules of writing, omit needless words, is a quick and easy tactic to help students improve their writing. The fewer words used to express an idea, the more impact it has. Encourage your students to trim extra words with today’s Write Tight exercise.

Do this…

• Ask them:
  What kind of writing do you do?
  What does someone’s writing tell you about him/her?
  How do you rate your writing skills?
• View video.
• Distribute Student Activity, review directions and complete. (Now available as an electronic, fillable pdf allowing students to download, complete and return to you via email.)
• Review exercise from Revise for Conciseness by Dr. Mary Ellen Guffey.
  Responses may vary but here are Dr. Guffey’s.
• Compare and contrast students’ responses.
• List things students plan to do to improve their writing.

Get Real!

Using Classroom Assessment Techniques like The Minute Paper, One-Sentence Summary, and Directed Paraphrasing will help measure learning in your classroom and give students writing practice.