The University Writing Center (UWC)
Directed Learning Activities (DLAs)
The UWC has created a series of Directed Learning Activities (DLAs) writers can use to develop writing skills. There are DLAs that pertain to each stage of the writing process, and there are ones that focus on specific writing skills. The UWC recommends that writers interested in developing specific writing skills complete DLAs while working with writing tutors, as de-contextualized skill-and-drill exercises often do not translate into an individual’s overall ability to write well.
These DLAs are available in the UWC, and you can also surf through the rest of our Writer’s Zone for more writing web sites and online exercises.
Before the Writing Process
Self as Writer I – NES
Self as Writer II – NNES
Self as Writer III – Writer’s Inventory
Writing Process PowerPoint
Prewriting
Brainstorming
Clustering
Freewriting
Looping
Journalists’ Questions
Outlines
Five Paragraph Essay in 25 Minutes
Alphabet Exercise & 15min Writing Challenge
Writing
Writing Coherent Paragraphs
Introduction
Thesis Statement
Rewriting
Developing Ideas Introduction
Showing vs. Telling
Prompts for Showing 1
Prompts for Showing 2
Prompts for Showing 3
Proofreading/Editing
Higher Order Concerns (HOCs) and Lower Order Concerns (LOCs)
Avoid Fragments
Comma Splices
Run-Ons
Concision Exercise
Five Paragraph Essay Sample