At every writing session, begin by having learners put down as many words on the page as they can in three minutes. Encourage them to write about whatever is on their minds. Have them count and record their words to see if they are building fluency. Do not collect and read this work unless the learners ask you to. Allow them to tear it up and throw it away, unseen, as soon as they are finished.
Most learners feel a renewed energy once free-write is over.
Being able to capture thoughts in writing results in freeing us from this load. In most cases, learners want to keep on writing because they have found something of interest. Once they have jotted down ideas on a theme, they have something to review and develop as opposed to looking up at the ceiling waiting for inspiration. In sum, free-write is a technique to advance and develop ideas on a theme, and it is useful for any kind of writing. Free-write can become a means for introducing diary writing in class.