HHCP Conference 2023: Five Essential Features of an Effective Writing Programme – Steve Graham

Steve Graham, Regents and the Warner Professor at Arizona State University, USA. Writing is essential. We use it to communicate and persuade others, record and share information, entertain and create imaginary worlds, express feelings and heal psychological wounds, and chronicle experiences and explore their meanings. Writing about information heard or read makes it more understandable, and teaching students to write makes them better readers. So how can teachers maximize students’ development as writers? To answer this question, I draw upon multiple lines of evidence to propose five essential features of an effective writing program for students. First, if students are to become better writers, they must write. At least one hour a day should be devoted to writing and writing instruction. Second, as students write, we must support them by establishing clear writing goals, engaging them in prewriting activities and inquiry to gather and organize writing information, allow them to use 2