Developing written work

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Extended writing skills are invaluable for success at the higher levels of examinations and becoming a key focus in many schools. It is also the means by which students are actively assessed in exams, and yet homework and classwork commonly fails to replicate the demands, especially under time pressure, of writing longer pieces.

Practice at writing longer answers however is not just rehearsal for the exam. It actively builds the thinking, structuring, and communication skills that underpin success at GCSE and A Level. It helps students internalise good habits, become more efficient, and gain confidence in expressing complex ideas.

1. Reinforces exam technique

• Practice helps students get used to the format of extended responses (e.g. “explain,” “evaluate,” “to what extent” type questions).

• They learn to identify command words, plan quickly, and apply their knowledge in the way examiners expect.

2. Builds strength, stamina and confidence

• Many students initially find writing at length intimidating. It also starts to hurt their hand muscles which need developing.

• Regular practice helps them sustain focus, manage time, and develop the stamina to produce well-structured responses under timed conditions.

3. Strengthens argument and structure

• With practice, students become more fluent in organising ideas into coherent paragraphs, using connectives, and building logical progression.

• It reduces reliance on writing frames as they internalise essay structures (e.g. PEE/PEED/PEEL, introduction–argument–conclusion).

4. Improves precision and use of evidence

• Extended responses force students to select the most relevant knowledge, examples, and terminology, rather than writing everything they know.

• Over time, they learn to balance breadth (covering key points) with depth (explaining/evaluating them).

5. Develops higher-order thinking

• Longer answers demand more than recall: they require analysis, evaluation, comparison, and judgement.

• Frequent practice gives students the chance to rehearse these skills in writing, making them more automatic.

6. Encourages reflection through feedback

• When students write extended answers, teachers can give targeted feedback on specific skills (e.g. linking evidence to argument, evaluation depth, or clarity of expression).

• This feedback loop is most effective when students redraft or “upgrade” their answers based on guidance.

7. Promotes independence

• Over time, repeated practice reduces reliance on scaffolds and prompts.

• Students develop the independence to plan, write, and review their work, key for GCSEs and beyond.