Critical thinking strategies
must be taught as part of essay writing

Critical thinking strategies are truly critical — that is, essential — for students who are just learning how to write essays.

Many novice writers struggle to get started writing but have no problem writing essays once they get started. Others get started but are quickly distracted and fail to finish.

In order for students to actually write expository essays, they must think about essay content in the way essay writers think.

Without teaching students how to think logically and systematically, i.e., critically, about each task within the expository essay writing process you are teaching about writing but not teaching writing.

How strategies help writers

Thinking is hard work. Critical thinking strategies support student essay writers by giving them procedures for systematically considering relevant information and making sure they didn't overlook anything important as they prepare their essays.

When the goal is to write an expository essay, having strategies helps students to:

• Get started on a specific writing task.

• Stay on task.

• Stop when the task is finished.

Critical thinking strategies do not tell students what to think or stuff their heads with discrete facts. Nor do they require that the students produce documents written in a stilted, formulaic way.

Instead, strategies give students a way to verify that they have not overlooked a vital piece of information or ignored a critical procedure.

Strategies are not just for dummies

Don't be fooled into thinking that having standardized strategies is just for dummies.

Medical professionals have found that systematically verifying before an operation basic information such as the procedure to be performed and the availability of appropriate equipment means fewer delays, greater efficiency, better care, and lower costs.

Applying strategies to writing just as surgeons do in the operating room can result in fewer delays, greater efficiency, better writing, and lower frustration in the ELA classroom.

In my experience, the biggest reason students struggle with writing is that they have been given writing assignments but have never had instruction in writing strategies.

I have learned to proceed as if every student needs to be taught the critical thinking strategies for expository essay writing. You'll find a list of the nine strategies I consider essential to teach students on the strategic planning process thread.