The Essential Guide to Writing Across the Curriculum
“Reading is like breathing in; writing is like breathing out.” – Pam Allyn. Writing is not just for English class. It is a fundamental skill across all disciplines, reinforcing comprehension, critical thinking, and communication. The integration of writing across the curriculum has been shown to deepen understanding and improve retention, yet many educators still view writing as separate from other subjects. Let’s change that!
What is Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC)?
Definition
Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) is an educational framework that integrates writing into all subjects, from science to history to mathematics. It moves beyond the traditional idea that writing is only for language arts and positions it as a central tool for learning and expression across disciplines.
Purpose
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To use writing as a means of engaging with subject-specific content.
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To help students retain information and process complex ideas.
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To improve students’ ability to communicate effectively across different fields.
Core Approach
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Writing is embedded in all subjects, not just English or Language Arts.
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Writing serves as both a tool for learning and a method of assessment.
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Students practice writing in different styles and for different audiences.
Why is Writing Across the Curriculum Important?
Writing is not just about forming coherent sentences; it’s about thinking. When students write, they analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information in a way that deepens their learning. Here’s why writing across the curriculum should be a priority:
Enhances Content Learning
Students engage with material more actively when they write about it. Summarizing, analyzing, and questioning information solidifies their understanding.
Develops Critical Thinking Skills
Writing forces students to articulate their thoughts, justify their reasoning, and evaluate different perspectives. It’s one of the best ways to develop problem-solving and analytical skills.
Improves Communication Across Disciplines
No matter their career path, students will need to write clearly and persuasively. From lab reports to business proposals, strong writing skills are invaluable in every profession.
Encourages Daily Writing Practice
Frequent, purposeful writing strengthens writing fluency. The more students write, the more confident and effective they become.
How to Implement Writing Across the Curriculum
Writing to Learn (WTL) – A Key Component of WAC
Definition
Writing to Learn (WTL) is an informal, low-stakes writing approach that helps students process new ideas and retain information. These activities aren’t graded for structure or grammar but are instead used to encourage thinking and comprehension.
Features
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Quick, ungraded writing exercises.
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Encourages students to engage with material in their own words.
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Focuses on idea development rather than mechanics.
Examples of WTL Activities
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Note-taking – Helps students capture key ideas during lessons.
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Brainstorming – Encourages creativity and exploration of topics.
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Quick Writes – Short, timed responses to prompts or questions.
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Summary Writing – Helps students consolidate their learning.
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Critical Questioning – Students pose and explore questions related to the topic.
Writing to Inform (Formal Writing Assignments)
While WTL is informal, students also need structured, Writing to Inform assignments that require clear organization, evidence, and analysis. These are graded and often align with subject-specific writing expectations.
Example: Constructing Arguments
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Objective: Answer an essential question with a well-supported argument.
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Process: Use graphic organizers, drafts, and revisions to develop a clear, persuasive response.
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Example Prompt: How do various cultures contribute to our community?
Writing Across the Curriculum vs Writing in the Disciplines
While writing across the curriculum applies to all subjects, writing in the disciplines (WID) focuses on subject-specific writing conventions.
Definition
Writing in the Disciplines (WID) teaches students how to write according to the standards of a specific field.
Purpose
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Prepares students for professional and academic writing in their discipline.
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Reinforces discipline-specific conventions, such as lab reports in science or policy briefs in social sciences.
Examples of WID Assignments
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Lab reports (Science)
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Literature reviews (Humanities)
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Project proposals (Business/Engineering)
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Research papers (Social sciences)
Integration of WAC and WID
WAC and WID are most effective when used together. It's what makes a good writing curriculum.
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WAC provides general writing practice, reinforcing writing as a tool for learning.
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WID ensures students develop discipline-specific writing skills that align with academic and professional expectations.
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Example: A history student might use WTL to take notes on historical events but will need WID training to write a well-researched historical analysis like in Write Through History.
So What Makes a Good Writing Curriculum?
A strong writing curriculum should be:
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Consistent: Follow a structured process (Plan, Draft, Revise, Edit, Share).
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Progressive: Build on writing skills over time, from foundational literacy to complex analysis.
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Integrated: Combine WAC and WID to ensure students develop both general and discipline-specific writing skills.
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Engaging: Use high-quality texts and research, discussion, and real-world writing tasks to inspire students.
A well-designed curriculum should integrate all these essential elements. Write Through History does exactly that! It requires students to follow the full writing process—planning, drafting, revising, and editing—while exposing them to rich, high-quality scholarly texts. Students engage with meaningful writing assignments, ensuring they develop both general and subject-specific writing skills. Whether writing narratives, opinion pieces, or historical analyses, students our curriculum provides a structured yet flexible framework for success.
Final Thoughts
Writing is more than a subject—it’s a fundamental skill that impacts every area of education and life. By embracing writing across the curriculum, we give students the tools to think critically, communicate effectively, and succeed in any discipline. Whether through quick informal exercises or structured research papers, integrating writing into all subjects strengthens learning, deepens understanding, and prepares students for the future!