Parents often ask us what their students should be working on over the summer. Summer break is an excellent time to fill in content gaps from prior years, build a stable foundation for the next year, or utilize advanced coursework to strengthen compensatory skills. Although every student is different, one skill we generally recommend working on over the summer is writing.
Writing is one of the most cross-disciplinary skills students work on during high school, and once they matriculate to college, it can be tough to compensate for a weak writing foundation. That being said, high school is a vital time in writing development. Moving on from the spelling and grammar obsessions of middle school English class, students finally have the opportunity to express their ideas in a clear, cogent manner. We have written at length about beating procrastination, building the perfect argument, and mastering the editing process in other posts. There are so many skills to improve, but investing time improving one’s writing pays dividends for decades.
The Challenge of Improving Writing
As important as writing is, it can be tricky to devise a summer improvement plan. To strengthen a student’s math foundation, it’s easy to work through summer math packets. Likewise, a student can work on his or her Spanish using a combination of review packets, online tools, and immersion courses. But what can a student do to improve their writing? The key to working on writing over the summer is to piggyback off of required coursework, standardized test preparation, college applications, or creative interests. We’ll break down each of these methods in the sections below.
Moreover, writing is inherently more subjective than many other academic skills, making it harder to measure progress and set clear goals. Unlike math, where answers are either right or wrong, writing quality can be influenced by various factors, including creativity, voice, and style. This subjectivity means that improvement in writing often requires personalized feedback and iterative practice, which can be challenging to structure over a short period like summer. Additionally, students may feel less motivated to work on writing due to its complexity and the effort it requires, compared to more straightforward tasks like solving math problems or completing science experiments.
Writing and Summer Reading
We are huge fans of summer reading, both required and for leisure. Odds are your child has a summer reading assignment in place by the end of this school year. Although most students dread this seemingly monotonous task, if done correctly, summer reading is one of the best ways to improve writing, reading comprehension, and literary well-roundedness. So, what do we mean by “if done correctly”?
Well, most students make one of two mistakes with summer reading. They either wait until the last minute, which leads to cramming, SparkNotes, and academic dishonesty, or they listen to the audiobook and never get beyond plot comprehension. We advise a different approach, one which focuses on annotation, drawing connections, and grappling with the novel’s themes as if the student is writing an essay (which they most likely will).
For writing in particular, a student can utilize summer reading assignments to improve both writing style and argumentation. For example, teachers often provide discussion questions to accompany whatever book they have assigned. If not, a student or a parent can easily pull discussion questions with a quick google search. Utilizing these discussion questions to write one-paragraph, one-page, or three-page mini-essays is a great way to improve one’s writing and hit the ground running on the first day of English class.
Using Test Prep and Admissions to Improve Writing
Test prep is another opportunity to improve writing. Whether your child needs to prepare for the ISEE, ACT, or the SAT, utilizing the English and reading comprehension sections to improve writing kills two birds with one stone. Under the watchful eye of an expert who knows how to teach test-taking strategies and writing, a student can truly get ahead and stay ahead. For example, a well-trained academic coach can help guide a student through reading comprehension strategies and then use the reading comprehension section to write an agree-or-disagree essay, which is an ever-popular prompt of choice in both high school classrooms and AP exams.
Admissions is another area ripe for writing improvement. The personal narrative style required by most high school and college applications is challenging to master. It requires abilities such as writing to show, utilizing argumentative narration, and top-notch editing. Although many schools have integrated a college essay workshop into their summer offerings, oftentimes a one-on-one approach works best. This way, students get personalized and specific feedback from seasoned professionals on how to improve their writing style.
Creative Writing
Our last recommendation for improving a student’s literary skills over the summer is to utilize creative writing. Through formal creative writing classes or individualized instruction, this type of writing practice helps students build excellent command over their vocabulary and an intimate understanding of storytelling. Writing fiction, poetry, or even screenplays allows students to explore different genres and styles, enhancing their creative expression. This kind of practice not only improves their writing but also fuels their imagination and helps them find their unique voice.
Creative writing also provides a safe space for students to experiment with new ideas and take risks in their writing. By creating their own worlds, characters, and plots, students gain a deeper appreciation for narrative structure and the elements that make a story compelling. Moreover, engaging in creative writing can be therapeutic and enjoyable, offering a break from the more structured and analytical writing they often do for school.
Encouraging creative writing can be as simple as providing prompts or themes for students to explore. They can write short stories based on a specific setting, create poems about their feelings or experiences, or even start a blog to share their thoughts and creative works. The key is to foster an environment where they feel free to express themselves and develop their writing without the pressure of grades or formal assessments.
Small Ways to Work on Writing
In addition to structured activities, there are many small ways to work on writing with kids and teenagers over the summer. These methods can be seamlessly integrated into daily life and are often enjoyable for students.
Encouraging regular communication through emails and text messages to grandparents, friends, and family members is a simple yet effective way to practice writing. These forms of writing help students learn to convey their thoughts clearly and concisely, which is a valuable skill in both academic and personal contexts.
Writing thank you letters is another excellent exercise. It teaches students the importance of gratitude while also giving them a chance to practice their writing. They can reflect on their experiences, express appreciation, and structure their thoughts in a coherent manner. This practice not only improves their writing but also their social and emotional skills.
Engaging in small, everyday writing tasks helps students see writing as a regular part of life rather than a daunting academic task. Whether it’s jotting down their thoughts in a journal, drafting a shopping list, or writing a short story inspired by their day, these activities encourage consistent practice. Over time, this consistent practice builds confidence and proficiency in writing.
Final Thoughts
Writing is a critical and wonderful skill to master. Utilizing the summer months to improve this ability can help students build the essential knowledge and confidence they need to create fantastic arguments and analyses for years to come. The key to success lies in a balanced approach that combines structured activities with small, everyday practices that make writing a natural and enjoyable part of life.
Summer provides a unique opportunity for growth not only in purely academic arenas but also in the realm of executive function. With great freedom comes great responsibility, so let’s see how your student handles that responsibility. For more ideas on getting ahead this summer, check out our other posts.
If you want to learn more about our unique one-on-one academic coaching services, reach out today.
