Writing is a complex task that requires several skills, many of which students may not have fully developed. These skills include:

• Understanding what they read

• Analyzing information

• Writing clearly and correctly, such as knowing grammar, sentence structure, and spelling

• Planning and organizing their writing

• Expressing ideas in a clear and concise way

• Creating strong, logical arguments

• Using evidence and sources properly

When students lack these skills, their writing can suffer in different ways, from poor grammar to weak arguments and unclear structure. On top of this, many students also struggle with reading skills. If they can't identify the main points in a text, it becomes hard to address those points in their writing.

One of the most frequent concerns shared by faculty is the difficulty of assigning formal writing tasks due to the poor quality of drafts submitted by students. These flawed submissions often discourage instructors from incorporating more writing into their courses.

However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that this issue stems from missed opportunities in the design and communication of the assignments. By addressing these gaps, instructors can significantly improve the quality of student work and enhance the learning experience.

Spell Out Key Criteria

Giving clear assignment instructions helps students produce better work. Instead of saying, “A 20-page paper on [topic] is due in two weeks,” provide detailed guidelines. Open-ended tasks often lead to confusion and poor results because students don’t know what’s expected.

Start by explaining why the assignment matters and how it connects to what they’re learning. This makes the task feel relevant and easier to approach. Clearly outline your grading criteria, including expectations for topics, structure, citations, proofreading, and formatting. When students understand what’s required, they’re more likely to meet the standards.

Keep your instructions concise but thorough. A one-page guideline is usually enough to cover the basics. Clear directions lead to better papers and a smoother grading process for you.

Share Models of Good Documents

Some teachers worry that showing students sample assignments will lead them to copy the format or simply "fill in the blanks." While this does happen occasionally, it’s much less common than expected, especially if teachers clarify that these examples demonstrate a variety of approaches, not a one-size-fits-all template.

In most cases, students use models to better understand the assignment’s key criteria. For example, if an assignment requires detailed development, students might not realize how much research or evidence they need until they see a sample. A clear example can help them grasp what "detailed development" looks like and guide them in meeting expectations.

Providing examples doesn’t just improve clarity; it can also inspire creativity by showing students multiple ways to succeed. When paired with a strong assignment sheet, models can make tasks clearer and more achievable.

For a more detailed guide on what to include in your assignment sheet and why it matters, check out the section "What makes a good assignment?"

Require Peer Review

Requiring peer review as part of an assignment process offers several benefits. First, setting the peer-review deadline at least a week before the final due date encourages students to start working on their drafts earlier. While not every student will have a fully polished draft by then, far fewer will wait until the night before the deadline to begin.

Second, peer review ensures that at least one other person reads the draft before submission. While students might choose to ignore feedback, most will seek additional opinions if a peer reviewer finds their draft unclear or completely off track.

Peer review gives students the chance to learn from each other. By reading a classmate's draft, students see different approaches to the same assignment. Answering questions on a peer-review worksheet often sparks new ideas or insights they can apply to their own work.

Including peer review in your process helps students develop stronger drafts and a deeper understanding of the assignment’s goals.