The list-making writing strategy helps students to generate topic ideas quickly. By keeping a section in their writing journal for list-making, students will always have topics to write about throughout the school year. Use a timer and you teach them how to turn off their inner editor.
When I use the list making writing strategy:
I use this strategy at least once or twice a week as a bell ringer. Because of this, I call my bell ringers “Write Nows.” Depending on the focus standards, I’m using for the week, I link these lists with what we’re learning from our reading or writing lessons.
This gets students primed and thinking about the topics or themes we’ll be discussing and gets some of the prewriting out of the way for whatever writing pieces they are going to be working on for the week.
The quality of their writing ideas improves with lots of practice.
Reasons for practicing the list making writing strategy:
Students need to be able to think innovatively and creatively, as well as learn how to write well for most professional careers. Additionally, students who learn how to plan their thoughts and ideas before writing will earn higher scores on writing assignments and tests. However, this is a skill that must be developed and practiced regularly for it to be effective.
Also, students who frequently brainstorm through list making become proficient at analysis, one of the top skills needed for higher education and beyond. These same students become more creative and resourceful thinkers as they consistently explore possibilities.
Listing topic ideas can be fun with colorful paper and some markers.
Students need to see you model this writing strategy often
Although I’ve used fun illustrations to engage kids in creating these lists, it is important that you model using these lists to create your own writing. When students see that real writers (and English teachers are “real writers”) use different strategies when they plan writing, students are more likely to use the strategies, too.
Assessing their skills for prewriting is easy with a rubric that defines what good list making can accomplish.
How to keep students accountable when using this writing strategy
Students will tell you they do not NEED to plan their writing using lists (or any other prewriting strategy). They can remember everything, and it’s all in their head. Until the ideas have gone poof and they don’t remember anymore.
Over 27 different lists to get kids writing and break through writer’s block using the list making writing strategy.
I don’t give my students the choice. It’s required that they use the prewriting strategies I teach them. Because it is required, I do hold them and myself accountable for checking and awarding points.
In my mind-mapping resource, I suggested this: throw down a challenge – How many ideas can you write down about your topic in 5 minutes? Award something to the winner or top three. Kids love challenges. They will do anything for a sticker, a piece of candy or just bragging rights!
After using the list making strategy often enough and students begin to experience writing success, they will want to repeat that success, and they will want to create the lists. (It’s human nature.)
If students want to list more/add drawings to their lists, even better. The more they think about their writing topics, the better.
Follow up list making with a mind map to dig further into specific details.
What to do after students use the list making writing strategy:
Model these next few steps, and direct students to:
1.Look back at what they’ve written and make some decisions.
- why they are writing – purpose (entertain, express, argue, persuade, inform, explain)
- who their audience could be beyond just you, the teacher
- what topic or part of their topic they want to begin with
2.Share their list with a partner. Discuss what could be added.
3.Create a mind map, asking themselves questions about their topic to get more specific.
4.Turn to a clean page in their writing journal OR to a new document on the computer. Begin writing.
5.Remind students to refer to their lists and mind-maps as they write.
6.Tell students that most writers go back and forth between the keyboard and their writer’s journal as they develop their thoughts and ideas.
If you are interested in any of the list making pages you’ve seen here, click here to get them: List Making Writing Strategies
Engage students with fun illustrations and ideas for creating lots of lists.
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5 Tricks that Break Writer’s Block Resources
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