Writing Help: Teaching Writing
Teaching Writing
Image Credit: Queen's University, CC BY-NC-ND
- Harvard Guides to Teaching WritingFrom the Harvard Writing Project, download these free guides to responding effectively to student writing and designing essay assignments.
- Classroom Writing InstructionAnswers to writing instructors' common questions.
- Evidence-Based Practices for Writing InstructionGary Troia from Michigan State.
- Handouts and Self-Guided TutorialsRMIT University has excellent self-guided tutorials for undergraduate and graduate student writers.
- Designing Assignments"Designing Assignments and Presenting them to Students," by Margaret Proctor at the University of Toronto.
- Low-Stakes Writing AssignmentsGet your students writing more often in your discipline. It improves depth of learning. Here are several examples of low-stakes writing assignments for students.
- Using Rubrics to Evaluate Written WorkThis guide from Carnegie Mellon University includes sample rubrics from a range of disciplines and writing genres.
- Managing the Marking LoadExcellent strategies for dealing with a large marking load.
- Structuring Peer Grading and Peer FeedbackPeer grading and peer feedback often fail, especially in larger classes, because they aren't set up properly. Check out this well-organized resource from Washington University in St. Louis.
- How and Why to Teach Students through WritingAn article by U Sask Writing Help Coordinator Liv Marken, and former GMCTE researcher Stan Yu.
Classroom Visits
If you are a professor or TA and would like a classroom visit from our staff, please email the Writing Help Centre to make arrangements.
Visits are typically about ten minutes long and consist of the writing centre coordinator or tutor explaining the Writing Help services on campus and answering questions from students. Custom workshops can also be arranged.
USask Writing Centre Policy on Generative AI
IMPORTANT NOTE: The information, tools, and compilations listed in this guide are not endorsed by the Writing Centre. Please read our policy and keep in mind the following:
1) It is essential to obtain permission from instructors, supervisors, prospective publishers or any other stakeholders before utilizing generative AI tools such as ChatGPT. This ensures that you preserve learning and use resources responsibly, ethically, and lawfully while respecting the privacy of individuals and upholding intellectual property rights, including Indigenous Knowledges.
2) Furthermore, before using any AI-powered tools, one should be aware of the ethical issues around generative artificial intelligence, including considerations around privacy, bias and discrimination, fabrications, environmental concerns, human labour, and academic integrity. These and other ethical concerns are outlined in plain language in a post by Leon Furze.
- Tutor Guidelines: Writing Centre Policy on AI Writing ToolsA policy and guide written for tutors at the USask Writing Centre. Version 6, February 2, 2024. Authored by USask tutors, staff, and faculty.
Generative AI and Teaching Writing
- MIT Sloan: Teaching and Learning with AIFrom MIT Sloan Teaching & Learning Technologies: "Reimagine your lessons and engage students by incorporating generative AI into your courses." Includes getting started with AI, practical strategies, discipline-specific case studies, detection, and more.
- AI Text Generators and Teaching WritingCompiled by the Writing Across the Curriculum Clearinghouse, a wealth of resources, including ideas for assignment design and engaging students.
- A Process for Building a Syllabus PolicyFrom Daniel Stanford (Jan.16, 2024)
- Humanities-focused: Creative and critical engagement with AI in educationFrom the metaLAB at Harvard: "A collection of assignments and materials inspired by the humanities, for educators curious about how AI affects their students and their syllabi."
Alternative and Inclusive Grading Practices
- Equity in Writing Assessment: Alternative Grading ApproachesFrom Boston University
- Life Sciences: Teaching More by Grading Less (or Differently)An article by Jeffrey Schinske and Kimberly Tanner, Department of Biology, Da Anza College
- Labour-Based Writing Contracts: Building Equity and Inclusion in the Compassionate Writing Classroom, 2nd EdA free book by Asao B. Inoue, University of Colorado.
- An Ecological Guide to Anti-Racist WritingA helpful, detailed infographic with sources.
Writing Across the Curriculum
CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 teddy-rised
- Teaching ExchangeYour first stop when preparing to teach a writing-intensive course.
- Faculty Tip SheetsA collection of excellent, research based advice on teaching writing. Examples: "Using Writing in Large Classes," "Tips on Grading: Using Rubrics," "Managing the Paper Load," and "Peer Review."
- Teaching TipsIncludes lists of tips on managing the marking load and motivating students.