Many students struggle with writing.  Several barriers to good writing exist, and strategies for improving are available. Handwriting, spelling, punctuation, fluency, and sentence formation are some of the barriers.

Handwriting: Consider word processing. Give students short daily practice sessions (10-15 minutes) followed by application.

Spelling: Teach spelling patterns.  Have students memorize high-frequency irregularly spelled words.  Make word lists and word walls so students see words to use in their writing. Allow students to have personalized word lists. Provide spelling dictionaries. Teach strategies for learning new words.

Punctuation: 

Fluency:

Sentence Formation:  Research  shows that traditional grammar instruction has little impact on writing quality. Teach sentence expansion, sentence combining, and types of sentences within paragraph types. These work!

For more info:

Teaching Secondary Students to Write

Writing Next

Lucy Calkins writings

Steve Graham writings

The National Writing Project

greatschools.org

What Works Clearinghouse