Montclair State University

Student Toolbox

The Writing Process
Conducting Research
Citing Sources
Technology & Writing
Specific Types of Writing
Writing in the Disciplines
Second Language Writing
Academic Integrity
Grammar & Style

Integrating Writing into
Your Course
Designing Assignments
Overview
General Resources
Helping Students
Get Started
Responding to Writing
Conducting Peer Review
Evaluating Writing
Teaching Writing with
Technology
Writing in the Disciplines
Second Language Writing
Academic Integrity

The consultants at the CWE
have put together a variety of
helpful handouts for writers
and teachers.

These handouts are included
in the relevant sections of
the CWE Digital Dashboard.
You can also view a
complete list of all CWE
handouts here.

You will also find useful
tips and information in
our CWE newsletters.

Designing Assignments

OVERVIEW

Designing effective writing assignments is a key component of integrating writing into your course. This page provides resources to help you learn how to design assignments that will provide your students with new and exciting avenues to learning through writing.

Also see: Integrating Writing into Your Course

GENERAL RESOURCES

	Designing and Responding to Writing Assignments: Source: Writing@CSU Description: One of the Teaching Guides on Writing@CSU that address how to design writing assignment to get the most out of the process for the student and how to respond to make the response a learning experience for the student.
	Harvard Writing Project Brief Guide to Assignment Design Source: Harvard Writing Project Description: The Harvard Writing Project Brief Guide series provides concise introductions to writing instruction for faculty members and teaching fellows.
	Gardner, Tracey. Designing Writing Assignments (2008) From the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) From the NCTE website for this book: "Effective student writing begins with well-designed classroom assignments. In Designing Writing Assignments, veteran educator Traci Gardner offers practical ways for teachers to develop assignments that will allow students to express their creativity and grow as writers and thinkers while still addressing the many demands of resource-stretched classrooms." A companion website is also available.
	Writing Matters #1: Designing Writing Assignments Univ. of Hawaii Manoa Writing Program This resource is also available as a PDF file.
	Teaching Guide: Designing Writing Assignments Colorado State Univ., Writing @ CSU Information on designing writing assignments is broken down into the following categories at this website (note: sample assignments are from classes in Agricultural Economics, Landscape Architecture, Comparative Animal Nutrition, and Human Development): Five principles Writing should meet teaching goals Working backward from goals Guidelines for writing assignments Resource: Checksheets Resource: Sample assignments Resource: Sample grading criteria
	Designing Writing Assignments that Work Arizona State Univ. - Student Success
	Assignment Design Univ. of Kansas Writing Center Includes basic advice on assignment design as well as "Questions to Consider as You Design Writing Assignments" and "Writing Across the Curriculum Principles of Assignment Design."
	Designing Effective Writing Assignments Writing across the Curriculum @ Manhattan College Provides resources on the following topics: Matching Writing Assignments to Instructional Goals Examining Writing in Your Discipline Informal Writing Assignments Checklist for Designing Writing Assignments Suggestions for Designing Effective Formal Writing Assignments
	Designing Assignments and Presenting them to Students Univ. of Toronto Writing

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HELPING STUDENTS GET STARTED

	10 Tips for Effective Free-Writing Exercises Univ. of Minnesota Center for Writing, Todd Arnold
	Informal, In-Class Writing Activities Univ. of Minnesota Center for Writing, Pamela Flash