Writing Instruction Is Failing Students – Here’s Why

In the era of information, it’s more important than ever for students to be able to write well. However, writing instruction has not changed in over 50 years, and students are not learning how to write effectively. Why is this? There are a number of reasons, but one of the biggest factors is that writing instruction is still based on the five-paragraph essay. This outdated model does not reflect the way that students write today. In this blog post, we will discuss why writing instruction is failing students and what we can do to fix it!

The five-paragraph essay is the backbone of writing instruction. However, this outdated model does not reflect the way that students write today. The five-paragraph essay is restrictive and often leads to students feeling like they are unable to express themselves. This structure also doesn’t allow for much creativity or individuality.

Another reason why writing instruction is failing students is that there is too much focus on grammar and mechanics. While these are important aspects of writing, they should not be the sole focus. Students need to be able to express their ideas clearly and effectively, and they can’t do this if they’re only worried about grammar rules.

Finally, many teachers do not receive adequate training in how to teach writing. This is a major problem, as teaching writing is a complex task. Without proper training, teachers are not equipped to provide the level of instruction that students need.

So, what can we do to fix this problem? First, we need to move away from the five-paragraph essay model. This structure is outdated and does not reflect the way that students write today. Instead, we should focus on teaching students how to express their ideas clearly and effectively. Second, we need to reduce the focus on grammar and mechanics. While these are important aspects of writing, they should not be the sole focus. Third, we need to provide teachers with adequate training in how to teach writing. Without proper training, teachers are not equipped to provide the level of instruction that students need.

By making these changes, we can ensure that students receive the writing instruction they need to be successful in the 21st century.