• Spend some class time explaining the writing required for the course, and write it all down in your syllabus, with plenty of explanation about rationale and expectations
• Make it clear that the writing assignments are an integral part of the learning process in your course. Don’t let students (or yourself) think of them as “added on.”
• Spend class time analyzing examples of excellent writing in the discipline. Draw their attention to hallmarks (passive vs active voice, paragraphing, the conventions of introductions, voice vs voiceless, etc) that you want to see in the writing they turn in for you.
• Require prewriting strategies (e.g., brainstorming, categorizing, freewriting, diagramming, outlining, and journal-keeping) as they compose your assignments
• Assign several short writing assignments designed to improve their thinking and writing. (For instance, students may write rough drafts, journal entries, summaries, research proposals, annotated bibliographies, reviews of literature, book reviews, progress memoranda, and abstracts.) Sequencing those assignments helps students learn to build from one small bit of thinking into much bigger and more critically aware thinking.
• Require revision. These rewrites should be substantive revisions, not merely the correction of grammatical and spelling errors. To revise, students should occasionally have access to "peer reviews" from their classmates as well as comments from the teacher.
• ALWAYS demonstrate what you’re asking for in a writing assignment. Don’t make the students guess what you want to see.

What Kinds of Writing Assignments?

Informal, Low-Stakes Writing (ongoing through the semester, generally unrevised, often not graded):

• Journal entries, logs, or notebooks
• In-class writing exercises
• Blackboard “Discussion Board” posts

Shorter, Medium-Stakes Assignments (3 to 5 page assignments; generally some revision, generally graded):

• Correspondence
• Short Reports
• Abstracts
• Microthemes (short essays)
• Proposals
• Critical Analyses

Extended, High-Stakes Assignments (10 to 15 page assignments; revised, graded)

• Long paper or report
• Technical writing assignment
• Extended proposal
• Case study