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