Table of Contents
Introduction
Writing tasks in the classroom can sometimes feel time-consuming, but reducing their frequency would be a mistake. On the contrary, teachers should aim to incorporate writing into every lesson.
Short writing tasks, in particular, are invaluable for encouraging creativity, enhancing language skills, and offering opportunities for feedback. They also allow teachers to learn more about their students in a more engaging and manageable way.
In this post, I’ll share a variety of short writing tasks that can be seamlessly integrated into your lessons, saving time while maximizing student engagement.
Short Writing Tasks
1. Poem Writing
Don’t worry, I’m not talking about long, complex poems! These short poems consist of just 2-6 lines, and they’re a great way to practice specific language points. They can be tailored to focus on grammar, similes, metaphors, and more. Here’s a simple example using grammatical categories:
- Noun
- Adjective + and + adjective
- Verb + adverb
- Like or as…
- If only…
Example:
Politician
Phoney and false
Lying desperately
Like a mockingbird
If only I had the key to the birdcage
This task not only strengthens students’ grammatical understanding but also sparks creativity. Feel free to adapt the structure to suit your lesson focus!
2. Similes and Metaphors
Short poems are also ideal for practicing similes and metaphors. A simple structure like this works well:
- X is like/as Y
- X is Y
Example:
She is like a flower.
She’s my angel.
Encourage students to experiment with different combinations to explore figurative language in a fun, concise way.
3. Short Messages
Why not tap into the power of modern communication? With the rise of instant messaging, students are already familiar with exchanging quick notes. Bring this practice into the classroom by having students send short messages to each other at the start of an English session. These messages can include greetings or personal information, helping students practice conversational language in writing.
Examples:
“Hi, how are you today?”
“Today, I was mad at my brother. He broke my bike.”
“You look great in your new dress!”
This task mimics real-life communication and makes writing more relatable and accessible for students.
4. Summaries
Summarizing is a valuable skill for condensing information. Have students write brief summaries of reading passages, conversations, or class discussions. Summaries encourage critical thinking and help students practice organizing their ideas clearly and concisely.
5. Quick Writes
A quick write is an excellent tool for spontaneous writing. Students jot down a sentence, phrase, or short paragraph in response to a prompt or discussion. The key to this task is setting a time limit and asking students not to worry too much about mistakes—this is about generating ideas quickly.
6. Slogans
This task encourages students to think creatively and concisely. Ask them to come up with a catchy slogan for a product—real or imaginary. A slogan is a short, memorable phrase that captures the essence of a product or brand.
Example:
“Think Different” (Apple)
This activity is great for practicing persuasive language in a fun way.
7. Mottos
Similar to slogans, students can create mottos that express a belief or purpose. These can be personal mottos or ones related to a topic you’re studying in class.
Example:
“Work hard, play hard.”
This is an ideal task for helping students reflect on their values while practicing concise writing.
In Conclusion
Short writing tasks are powerful tools in the classroom. They inspire creativity, help students organize their ideas, and fit easily into any lesson without consuming too much time. By incorporating these tasks regularly, you’ll not only develop students’ writing skills but also foster a classroom environment where creativity and expression thrive.
