Improving Writing Performance: A Strategy for Writing Persuasive Essays
Wrap Up
This module described factors that contribute to students’ difficulties with written expression. The elements of the writing process were also presented. Students must understand these elements in order to integrate their thoughts, ideas, and content information into cohesive written essays. The module then provided an overview of the research-validated POW+TREE strategy, which can be used to teach persuasive writing.
Listen as Torri Lienemann summarizes the benefits of implementing a writing strategy for students (time: 0:42).
Torri Lienemann, PhD
Director of the Graduate Special Education Program
Concordia University, Nebraska
Transcript: Torri Lienemann, PhD
Strategy instruction provides students with the tools necessary to be successful composers. And students may possess the prerequisite skills necessary to be successful composers, like handwriting and spelling; however, they still may need assistance with that planning and organizing, formulating composition goals, and writing. Strategy instruction can help students with these higher order skills. Organization of written text and composition is largely strategic, and instructing students how to utilize appropriate organizational strategies can really help them to be understood by others, as well as to improve their ability to interpret and negotiate the meaning of text.
Revisiting Initial Thoughts
Think back to your responses to the Initial Thoughts questions at the beginning of this module. After working through the Perspectives & Resources, do you still agree with those responses? If not, what aspects about them would you change?
What should Ms. Lin know in order to provide effective writing instruction?
What could Ms. Lin do to help her students learn to write persuasive essays?
When you are ready, proceed to the Assessment section.
