Writing Strategies for Students: Tips for Better Grades

Structuring Essays for Clarity

Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) is the most researched and evidence-based writing process globally. Developed by Dr. Karen Harris over decades of research and classroom application, SRSD has consistently proven highly effective for students of all abilities. As Harris herself puts it:

“SRSD has been recognized by the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) as an evidence-based practice. A 2013 meta-analysis (The writing of students with LD and a meta-analysis of SRSD writing intervention studies: Redux) of SRSD for writing found that SRSD was effective across different research teams, methodologies, genres of writing, and students with diverse needs, including learning disabilities and emotional and behavioral disorders.”

In this post, we’ll explore why SRSD has earned its place as the “king of the hill” in writing strategies and why it’s more than just a quick fix for turning students into great writers.

What Makes SRSD So Effective? A Proven, Evidence-Based Approach

The foundation of SRSD’s effectiveness lies in its research-backed approach to improving literacy and reading. Over the past several decades, hundreds of studies have confirmed the positive impact of SRSD on student writing outcomes. This research spans a wide range of student populations and writing genres, making it a versatile tool for educators in general education, special education, behavior intervention settings, and even those focusing on proofreading skills.

SRSD’s positive effects are consistent across different research teams and methodologies, which adds to the credibility of the results. Importantly, SRSD has proven effective with students from diverse backgrounds, including those with learning disabilities and emotional or behavioral disorders, partly due to its emphasis on time management strategies within the writing process.

Why is this so significant? For one, education is full of trends that come and go. What works for one group of students in a specific context may translate poorly to other classrooms or student demographics. SRSD, however, has demonstrated its effectiveness in varied settings, making it adaptable and scalable for educators across the board, including skilled writers who seek to refine their teaching methods.

Flexibility across Writing Genres and Student Needs

One of SRSD’s critical strengths is its flexibility. Writing is a complex skill that demands different approaches depending on the genre—narrative, persuasive, informative, and so on. Self-Regulated Strategy Development provides writing strategies that work across these genres while also allowing teachers to adapt the process to meet the specific needs of their students.

What is self-regulated strategy development?

SRSD’s strength lies in its ‘six stages,’ which help students internalize strategies for planning, writing, and revising their work.

1. Develop background knowledge – Teachers help students build awareness and vocabulary before diving into writing.
2. Discuss the Strategy – Teachers explain the SRSD strategy instruction, its purpose, and how it will help students improve their writing.
3. Model the Strategy – Teachers model the writing process using think-alouds so students see what is in the teacher’s head and how to apply the strategy.
4. Memorize the Strategy– Students internalize the strategies to help use it independently.
5. Support the Strategy – Teachers provide guided practice, offering support as students work through the writing process.
6. Independent performance – Students apply the strategy independently, receiving feedback as needed.

This structured approach provides the scaffolding and the gradual release of responsibility necessary to foster independent learning, confident writers, and a love for reading. SRSD is not just about learning to write; it’s about teaching students how to regulate their writing processes, leading to better outcomes over time.

The Role of Metacognition in SRSD

Metacognition—thinking about one’s thinking—is a core component of SRSD. At its heart, SRSD teaches students to be aware of their writing processes, from drafting to revising. The goal is not just to write but to self-regulate during writing tasks, an essential skill for lifelong learning and success.

In traditional writing instruction, students are often left to their own devices without clear strategies for managing the cognitive load that writing requires, impacting their overall cognition during the writing process. This can be overwhelming, especially for students who struggle with writing, whether due to learning disabilities, language barriers, or other challenges. SRSD helps to break down the writing process into manageable steps, allowing students to focus on specific tasks rather than feeling lost or overwhelmed.

Self-Regulation Strategies

Self-Regulated Strategy Development incorporates various self-regulation strategies to help students stay on track during the writing process, enhancing their cognition as they write. These include:

• Goal setting– Students learn to set specific, measurable goals for their writing, such as creating a better ending, completing a rough draft, or revising a particular section.
• Self-monitoring – Students are taught to monitor their progress as they write, checking to ensure they are meeting their goals.
• Self-reinforcement – When students reach their goals, they are encouraged to reward themselves, fostering a positive association with writing.

These strategies go beyond mere writing skills, empowering students to practice becoming skilled writers who manage their time, stay focused, and persist through challenges, including integrating reading into their learning process. The result is better writing and a more confident, self-directed learner.

Time Management for Writing Success

While SRSD is highly effective, it is not a magic solution that can be sprinkled onto students’ desks to instantly transform them into great writers. As Karen Harris would say, “Don’t Post, Explain, and Expect. Don’t PEE in the classroom!”

This humorous take on a common teaching mistake highlights an important truth: SRSD requires thoughtful implementation. Teachers must invest time teaching, modeling, and supporting students as they learn the SRSD process. Simply posting the strategy on the wall and expecting students to follow it won’t work. Teachers must provide explicit instruction and continuous support for students to benefit from SRSD.

The “Post, Explain, Expect” PEE Trap

One of the biggest pitfalls in writing instruction is the assumption that students will automatically internalize a strategy once it’s introduced. Teachers may post a graphic organizer or writing formula on the wall, briefly explain how to use it, and expect students to implement it effectively. Harris’s meta-analysis proves that this approach is a setup for failure.

SRSD, by contrast, requires active teaching, the use of mentor texts, strategy instruction, and engagement from both the teacher and the students. Teachers must model the strategies through think-aloud, walk students through the process multiple times, and offer guided practice before students are expected to use the strategy independently.

Moreover, teachers should check in regularly with students as they apply SRSD strategies, providing feedback and support as needed. This includes incorporating proofreading, editing tasks, and reading assignments to enhance comprehension. This ensures that students not only follow the steps but also understand why they are essential and how they contribute to better writing.

SRSD Is a Long-term Investment

One of the most important things to understand about SRSD is its long-term investment. It’s not a one-off intervention or a quick-fix strategy that will solve all writing challenges in a few weeks. Instead, it’s a process that takes time to implement and requires continuous practice.

Teachers must be prepared to devote significant time and effort to teaching SRSD, especially in the early stages, through careful assessment and ongoing evaluation. But the payoff is substantial. Students who learn SRSD become better writers and develop independent learning skills, enabling them to regulate their learning and apply these strategies to other academic tasks, such as reading, math, and even homework.

In short, SRSD is about more than immediate results; it is about building a solid foundation for long-term writing success.

Why SRSD Works for Diverse Learners

Another key strength of SRSD is its applicability to diverse learners. Whether students are struggling with learning disabilities or behavioral issues or need more support in reading and writing, SRSD provides a structured, step-by-step approach adaptable to various needs.

Skilled Writers in Special Education

Self-regulated strategy development (SRSD) has been particularly effective for students in special education. Research has shown that students with learning disabilities, emotional or behavioral disorders, and other challenges can make significant progress with SRSD strategy instruction, particularly when regular assessment is integrated into the process. The step-by-step nature of the process, including outlining, drafting, and regular practice, helps these students break down the overwhelming task of writing into manageable chunks. In contrast, the self-regulation strategies enhance their cognition, helping them stay focused and motivated.

Teachers working in unique education settings have reported that SRSD improves their students’ writing skills and increases their confidence and engagement in writing tasks. Students with special needs can become more independent and capable writers by learning to regulate their writing processes.

English Language Learners (ELLs)

SRSD provides a structured framework for English language learners (ELLs) to help them navigate the complexities of writing in a second language. Writing can be incredibly daunting for ELLs, who may need help with language and content. SRSD helps by breaking down the process into clear, manageable steps, making it easier for ELLs to organize their thoughts, focus on specific tasks, and enhance their reading comprehension alongside writing skills.

Moreover, the explicit instruction and modeling provided by SRSD are particularly beneficial for ELLs, who may need more guidance in understanding the expectations of academic writing. Teachers can adapt SRSD writing strategies to accommodate the unique language needs of their students, ensuring that they receive the support they need to succeed.

Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

SRSD’s emphasis on self-regulation is especially powerful for students with emotional and behavioral disorders. These students often struggle with focus, organization, and managing their emotions during academic tasks. SRSD provides tools for setting goals, monitoring progress, and staying on task, incorporating time management skills to help these students develop the self-regulation skills they need to succeed.

Teachers who work with students facing these challenges have found that SRSD not only improves their writing outcomes but also helps them develop better coping strategies for managing academic tasks. By teaching students how to regulate their learning, SRSD fosters independent learning and gives them the tools to navigate writing and other aspects of their educational and personal lives.

Implementing SRSD: What Educators Need to Know

If you’re an educator interested in implementing SRSD in your classroom, there are a few key things to keep in mind:

Start small – SRSD can initially feel overwhelming due to its comprehensive nature. Begin with one writing genre; we suggest opinion or narrative and guide students through the SRSD stages for that genre. This will allow you and your students to gain confidence before expanding to other genres.

Model and scaffold – A crucial part of SRSD is teacher modeling using think-aloud and positive self-talk. Don’t rush through the stages; take the time to demonstrate the writing strategies, using think-alouds to show students how to plan, write, and revise. Provide scaffolding by guiding students through each stage with ample support, gradually reducing this assistance as they grow more independent.

Consistency is key – Like any instructional approach, SRSD requires consistency. Revisit and reinforce the strategies regularly to ensure that students internalize the process. Writing development takes time, and consistent practice will lead to greater mastery and confidence.

Tailor to your students’ needs—One of SRSD’s strengths is its flexibility. Adapt the strategies to fit the needs of your students, whether they are English Language Learners, students with special needs, or general education students. Adjust the pace and level of support based on your student’s challenges.

Utilize professional development – SRSD is most effective when teachers receive proper training. Consider participating in professional development programs that provide detailed guidance on implementing SRSD with fidelity. Ongoing support will help you stay current with the latest research and refine your practice.

SRSD as a Powerful Tool for Writing Instruction

SRSD stands as one of the most thoroughly researched and effective writing instruction methods available, particularly when brainstorming is used to generate ideas in writing and reading, as demonstrated by numerous meta-analysis studies showcasing its efficacy across different student populations and its impact on literacy. Its success across many student populations, including those with learning disabilities and emotional or behavioral disorders, highlights its versatility and power. However, SRSD is not a quick fix—it requires thoughtful implementation, ongoing support, and commitment from educators to achieve lasting results.

By starting small, modeling the process, and tailoring strategies to meet diverse student needs, educators can unlock the full potential of SRSD in their classrooms. When implemented effectively, SRSD helps students develop more vital writing skills and the self-regulation abilities necessary for lifelong learning and success. With its robust foundation in evidence-based research, SRSD continues to be a valuable tool for transforming how students approach writing and empowering teachers to guide them on that journey.