Improving Writing Skills

The Ultimate Guide

Writing is a fundamental skill that plays a crucial role in academic success and professional development. Writing tasks vary between schools, grades, and classrooms. Students might craft essays, compos reports, or simply jotting down thoughts in a journal. No matter what kind of writing they do, effective writing is essential for clear communication. Students who struggle to write often have trouble in all academic classes, not just English. Many students find it challenging to express their ideas coherently and accurately. Others aren’t sure what their teachers even want them to do. These challenges are especially common for students with ADHD and dyslexia, who face unique obstacles to becoming good writers. One challenge is students have trouble learning to write on their own – they don’t know what makes good writing good. That’s why good resources or a knowledgeable coach can be so valuable for students looking to improve their writing skills.

Read on below to find out how to help your child become a stronger, more confident writer.

Understanding the Challenges

General Writing Struggles

Writing can be a daunting task for many students. Some common challenges for writers are listed and explained below. Recognizing the problems with a student’s writing is one of the first steps to improving writing skills.

• Lack of Clarity: Writers often struggle to express their ideas clearly, leading to vague or confusing sentences. They use generic vocabulary (good, or very good, instead of delicious, or compelling. They might write a lot, but veer from the topic.
• Coherence Issues: Organizing thoughts logically and ensuring that each paragraph flows smoothly into the next can be challenging. Students repeat their ideas throughout the essay, or leave out key details that help readers connect thoughts. Students struggling with coherence might not have an overall main idea or thesis that they write about throughout a paper.
• Too Much/Too Little Detail: Using the wrong level of detail, either too much or two little, interferes with clarity and coherence. Some students can improve their writing skills by understanding the difference between what is important and what is interesting. When summarizing or paraphrasing something they read, they might omit context or include quotes that are too long.
• Grammar and Spelling Mistakes: Errors in grammar and spelling can distract readers and undermine the writer’s credibility. Some students know the grammar basics, but when they have to express more complex ideas, they struggle to keep grammar consistent in long, complex sentences. Some students, especially those with reading difficulties, mix up similar words in their writing, and sometimes spell check doesn’t help them find the error.

ADHD and Writing

Students with ADHD face specific challenges that can affect their writing abilities. ADHD can make it difficult to focus, organize thoughts, and sustain attention, all of which are crucial for effective writing.

• Focus Issues: Difficulty maintaining concentration can lead to incomplete or disjointed writing. Writers may forget what they were planning to write or change their idea in the middle of a paragraph.
• Organizational Challenges: Struggling to structure ideas logically can result in poorly organized essays. When I read the writing of students with ADHD, I often notice “missing links.” They assume the reader knows something and jump to an idea that, to them, is connected. But it can be challenging to succinctly explain the link and include it in their writing.
• Sustained Attention: Difficulty in sustaining attention can make the writing process laborious and time-consuming. Especially when students have to refer to source material, or multiple documents – like a graphic organizer, checklist, and first draft – writing demands a lot of attention management.
• Planning: Pre-writing is often challenging for students with ADHD. Teachers tend to teach their preferred strategy, like outlining, mind mapping or a particular graphic organizer. Students with ADHD may need to explore other strategies (even some really outside-the-box options!) to find planning tools that make sense for their brains.

Dyslexia and Writing

Dyslexia primarily affects reading, but it also impacts writing skills. Students with dyslexia often struggle with spelling, grammar, written vocabulary, and sentence structure.

• Spelling Challenges: Dyslexia can make it hard to remember and apply spelling rules, leading to frequent errors. For some students, writing impacts their intelligibility. Others choose different, less powerful, words because they are easier to spell. Either way, poor spelling affect the quality of student writing, and the process of checking and correcting spelling makes writing a longer, more laborious process for them.
• Grammar Difficulties: Constructing grammatically correct sentences can be challenging, resulting in awkward phrasing and syntax errors.
• Oral Language Deficits: Choosing the correct word (and its spelling) can be challenging for students with dyslexia. Students with dyslexia may also have developmental language disorder. DLD impacts spoken language including vocabulary, syntax, and grammar. In turn, those impact writing.
• Sentence Structure: Creating well-structured sentences and paragraphs can be particularly difficult, impacting the overall coherence of the text. Students with dyslexia may have done less reading, or reading of less complex text, over their reading careers. As a result, they may not be as well versed at using a variety of sentence structures to express complex ideas.

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Strategies to Improve Writing Skills

Writing Techniques and Tips

Improving writing skills requires practice and the use of effective writing strategies. Here are some fundamental techniques that can be adjusted for all writers:

• Drafting and Revising: Writing multiple drafts and revising them helps refine ideas and improve clarity. To keep their workspace uncluttered, consider putting everything in one document (notes, organizer, and draft) so they don’t have to click between windows or shuffle paper.
• Improving Sentence Structure: Focus on creating varied and well-constructed sentences to enhance readability. This can be done by combining short sentences or breaking up longer ones. Sentence combining is an evidence-based teaching technique that helps students develop an understanding of compound and complex sentences and improve their own writing.
• Using Active Voice: Active voice makes writing more direct and engaging. In an active voice sentence, the subject of the sentence is the who or what doing the action. Consider the difference between “She threw the ball.” (active) and “The ball was thrown by her.” (passive) In the first sentence she is the one acting (throwing). In the second, the ball is the subject of the sentence, but the ball is not doing the action (throwing). In general, you should write more active sentences to keep your writing clear and concise.
• Concise Language: Avoiding unnecessary words and being concise can make writing clearer and more impactful. Students sometimes pad their writing with more words when they feel like they don’t have enough to say, but it often backfires, by burying their best ideas in a sea of clutter.

Creating a Successful Writing Environment

A productive writing environment can significantly enhance focus and efficiency. Here are some tips to create an ideal writing space:

• Distraction-Free Space: Choose a quiet place free from distractions to enhance concentration. A quiet workspace is especially important for students who use assistive technology like speech-to-text.
• Tools and Resources: Utilize tools like noise-canceling headphones and timers to maintain focus. Consider apps or browser extensions that minimize distractions or keep needed information handy.
• Keep the Tech Working: Be prepared with some basic plans for tech support. Have a spare charger at home. Make sure your child’s school device is charged. And when in doubt, restart the device.

Planning and Organization

Effective planning and organization are crucial for successful writing. Not all strategies are effective for all writers. Personally, as a teen with ADHD, I had trouble outlining my essays and reports. My teachers always assigned an outline as an early part of a writing project. I had no idea what to put in an outline at that stage. I developed the habit of writing my draft early, and then creating an outline based on the draft so I could turn it in. The standard plan-write-revise-rewrite-edit approach might not be the best option for all students. It’s important to try a variety of techniques and strategies and try using them in different ways. These strategies can help:

• Brainstorming Techniques: Use methods like free writing or listing ideas to generate content.
• Outlining: Create an outline to organize ideas logically before writing. Whether you like a formal outline with roman numerals, or just bullet points about the topic, an outline helps writers capture important details.
• Graphic Organizers and Mind Maps: Visual tools can help in structuring thoughts and ensuring a coherent flow. I favor the SRSD approach to teaching writing because it helps students internalize different writing structures. They don’t have to rely on printed graphic organizers and can organize their own writing plan on blank paper.

Specific Strategies for Students with ADHD and Dyslexia

Tailored strategies can help students with ADHD and dyslexia improve their writing skills.

• Time Management for ADHD: Use timers and break tasks into manageable chunks to maintain focus. Try the Pomodoro Technique to help with task initiation and sustained effort.
• Explicit Spelling and Writing Instruction: Before they can benefit from practice, students need to be taught the skills. Writing accommodations are no substitute for solid instruction. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan at school, make sure they aren’t being given accommodations in place of teaching the skills they lack.
• Technology and Apps: Utilize apps designed to aid focus and organization, such as Pomofocus.

Additional Resources and Support

Writing Tutoring Services

One-on-one tutoring can provide personalized support and guidance, helping students improve their writing skills effectively.

• Benefits: Tutors can provide targeted feedback, help with organization, and offer strategies tailored to individual needs.
• Choosing a Tutor: Look for experienced tutors who have experience with students with complex learning needs. Some writing tutors specialize in college research papers, while others specialize in core writing skills for younger students. Ask questions beyond, “Do you work with…” students with a certain profile. Ask for specific details, such as “What approach do you use for students with executive functioning deficits?” or “What tools do you find most effective for writers with dyslexia?” or “What is the biggest problems you find students have with essay writing? How do you help them?”

Assistive Technology Support

Using technology tools for writing and editing helps catch errors and improve the overall quality of writing.

• Popular Tools: Grammarly and Hemingway are excellent options for editing and refining text.
• How They Help: These tools offer suggestions for grammar, spelling, style, and readability, making it easier to improve writing skills.
• Think Outside the Box: Use any device with a camera to have your students record themselves (video or just audio) reading their draft. Listening to the recording (and yes, everyone thinks their voice sounds weird, sorry) can help students hear problems in their writing they don’t notice when they read silently.

Specific Strategies for Students with ADHD and Dyslexia

Additional strategies can provide further support for students with ADHD and dyslexia.

• Spelling and Grammar Tools: Use software designed to assist with spelling and grammar, such as Ghotit or Grammarly.
• Patience and Practice: Encourage regular practice and be patient with progress, celebrating small achievements to boost confidence.
• Time Management for ADHD: Implement techniques like time blocking and using planners to organize writing tasks.

Conclusion

Improving writing skills is a journey that requires dedication, practice, and the right strategies. By understanding the common challenges and implementing the techniques outlined in this guide, students of all levels can enhance their writing abilities. Whether dealing with ADHD, dyslexia, or general writing difficulties, the key is persistence and continuous improvement. Utilize the resources and strategies provided, and remember that every small step forward is progress worth celebrating. Writing is a skill that can be developed and refined over time, leading to greater academic and personal success.