Record laboratory procedures and results. Ask for short answers rather than one or two words on quizzes. Ask students to explain briefly their reasoning on occasional items on objective tests. Instructors sometimes worry, however, that adding writing assignments to their class schedules will take too much class time or create an unreasonable grading burden. Writing assignments can be planned so that they complement rather than interfere with regular instruction.
Students can learn from writing for each other as well as for the teacher.
Teachers can encourage writing by assigning a variety of modes and formats rather than limiting students to formal papers. Short assignments can be designed to be incorporated into longer projects.