More writing activities

Although it is usually the forgotten language skill, there are many activities to develop
writing from more guided and results-focused ones to creative writing. In my research, I
have found the most typical ones but here I would like to list the ones that I think are the
most original – or at least the ones I have never heard of, practise or think about.

1. Messenger

Messenger programmes and apps are used instead of email to leave quick messages or
to have a conversation with another person online. Have your learners simulate a
messenger chat in the following way:

1) Divide the class into pairs and give each pair a blank piece of paper.
2) Explain that they have six minutes to have a conversation with each other, but
that they cannot say anything. They must do it in writing.
3) One learner writes a message on the piece of paper and hands it to the other
learner. The other learner writes a response and hands it back to the first learner.
4) This kind of situation may seem bizarre to the learners at first, as they might not
know what to say, but once the paper has passed back and forth two or three
times you might find it hard to stop them writing!
★ Variation: You can give your learners more guidance by supplying them with a role-
play situation each, e.g. You are chatting to a good friend. Explain to your friend
that you have just got engaged!

2. Manifestos

Put the learners in groups of four. Explain that they are a new political party and there is
going to be an election in the next four weeks. The learners have to write an election
manifesto for their political party. Tell them that they can be as serious or as crazy as
they like. Set the following guidelines:

1) They must choose a name for their political party.

2) A manifesto is usually a set of statements about what the country needs. It also
gives reasons why the country needs those things. Their manifestos should
reflect this.
 3) Their manifestoes should end with an incentive to vote. This could be in the first
conditional, e.g. If you want a better country …
4) When groups have finished their manifestos, have them exchange with another
group. The group should read the new manifesto and make any suggestions on
how to improve the English of the manifesto (peer correction).
5) They hand it back to the first group. You can then post the manifestos around
the class and ask the learners to vote for the best one.

3. Message in a bottle

On the board draw a simple picture of the sea with a bottle floating above the waves.

Ask the students what it is and elicit, or explain, the idea of a ‘message in a bottle’ (i.e.
someone is shipwrecked and sends a message asking for help).

Then, on the board write up the following:

Hel

Ia

Explain that this is all that remains of the message. The students should work in pairs,
or small groups, and complete (write) the message.