ELT365 · Day 207 — Writing to a real reader: the motivation fix

Idea — Writing for a teacher-examiner is motivationally thin. Writing for a real or imagined audience gives learners a reason to make the text work.

Example — Instead of ‘Write a review of a film,’ try ‘Write a review for the school newsletter. It will be read by students choosing what to watch next weekend.’ The audience sharpens every choice.

Try — Redesign a writing task by specifying: who the reader is, where the text will appear, and what the reader needs from it. Does learner investment change?

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