Quick Writes (Writing Fluency)
Quick writes are brief writing exercises accompanied by a time limit which serves to achieve the writing routine and improve spontaneous expression. They prompt the writers to produce ideas freely without any inhibitions or anxiety, thus, increasing both their creativity and self-belief in writing skills.
Integrating quick writes into the classroom creates a favorable environment where students can voice their opinions comfortably and learn writing. The advantages gained include writing fluency, self-assurance in writing, and creativity, following the practice of learning how to quickly relate to topics. For instance, a short daily quick write help student to get going encountering a writer's block and get them introduced to diverse subjects.
Teachers can easily do quick writes by giving a prompt at the start of the lesson and letting the students write without stopping for 5-10 minutes. It is very important to set the environment such that no one judges the kids, and they are comfortable to share their writings. Like, after a quick write, teachers can ask students to read their pieces in pairs or small groups, and check the discussion and peer feedback.
The prompts that allow for a wide range of responses are the ones that are open-ended and thought-provoking. Sample questions would be, such as 'What would you be doing if you were the president for the day?' or declarative sentences like 'Tell us about your hero.' These prompts give students the opportunity to be creative with the writing that they make and they make it easier to be relatable by allowing students to base it on their own life experience.
Quick writes promote the development of writing skills through the facilitation of regular practice which is the main mechanism for building fluency and confidence. When students are participating in such activities on a daily basis they get better at structuring their thinking, using different kinds of words, and expressing their individuality. After some time, they transfer these skills to their academic work and thus, they write better and do well in more formal writing tasks, like essays and reports.