In addition to the standard essay and report formats, several other formats exist that might give students a different slant on the course material or allow them to use slightly different writing skills. Journals have become a popular format in recent years for courses that require some writing. In-class journal entries can spark discussions and reveal gaps in students' understanding of the material. Having students write an in-class entry summarizing the material covered that day can aid the learning process and also reveal concepts that require more elaboration. Journals are usually not graded for their prose style.
Students can define and defend a position on an issue in a letter written to someone in authority.
They can also explain a concept or a process to someone in need of that particular information. Students can define and defend a position on a controversial issue in the format of an editorial. Students might create cases particular to the course's subject matter for other students to solve. Students can define and defend a position, perhaps as a preliminary step in the creation of a formal research paper or essay. Imitation of a Text.