Addressing Writing Anxiety

Writing anxiety can manifest itself in a number of ways: a student may procrastinate, complain about the assignment, or write a tremendous amount in a futile effort to write a flawless paper. In academic writing, it results from non-use, mis-use, or abuse of the writing process. 

Teachers can help students fight writing anxiety:

Begin by finding out the process that the student has used unsuccessfully. Then,

remind the student that writing is an ongoing process that takes time and practice.

discuss ways successful student writers approach this sort of assignment.

Review the components of the writing process, emphasizing that the student owns that paper until the very end.

Help the student identifiable manageable chunks in order to gain a sense of accomplishment.

Working with the manageable chunks, establish a set schedule and specific deadlines.

encourage an award system as the writer progress through the writing assignment

 

Ryan, Leigh. The Bedford Guide for Writing Tutors. Boston: Bedford Books (St. Martin's Press), 1994.

 

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