One Minute Writer

According to Walvoord, one-page writing assignments can shift students' "first exposure" to new material from limited class time to expandable student study time. Class time can then be used for discussion rather than lecture.

The following example of such a one-page writing assignment comes from a history course in western civilization taught by Professor Breihan at Loyola College and described in more detail in Walvoord's books. The writing assignment is, however, easily adapted to other courses.

When the course covers English and French history between 1500 and 1800, Breihan poses the following question for discussion: "What were people willing to give up to have political autonomy?" Readings assigned on the syllabus and class discussion revolve around this topic.

To assure that students come to class prepared for discussion, he assigns a one-page paper which asks them to answer the following questions:

1. What is the issue at stake in this chapter?
2. Who was Bishop Bossuet and when did he write?
3. How can his material be used as evidence for the issue at stake? 

Students bring 2 copies of that completed assignment to class, one to be graded and the second to be used for discussion. Because Breihan wants students to learn to argue as historians do, they are encouraged to take additional notes on their copy of the assignment and to compare their answers with those of other students. 

Because classroom time has been spent on discussion rather than lecture, students have a broader perspective and a fuller understanding of the complex historical issue at stake. They are better prepared for subsequent written assignments or examinations.

At home, Breihan reads the papers quickly, awards a number of points (1-5), and occasionally makes short comments. This assignment then shifts "first exposure" to student time and class time can be used for discussion rather than lecture. It also supports Breihan's goals for students in the course. By the end of the term, he wants them to be able to:

* describe basic historical events and people
* argue as an historian does, that is, 
   -- to take a position on a debatable historical issue
   -- to use historical data as evidence for the position
   -- to raise and answer counter arguments