Low-Stakes Writing Benefits Students learn more when required to articulate their knowledge in writing Can help students keep up with reading Can help students better understand course concepts Asks students to take a more active role in the course vs passive learning Adapted from “Integrating Low-Stakes Writing Into Large Classes,” Sweetland Center for Writing, University of Michigan

Low Stakes Writing Benefits Reinforces critical thinking, chance to grapple with course concepts, practice problem solving without same pressure as high stakes assignments Focus on content vs polish Low-stakes writing provides scaffolding for high-stakes assignments

Low Stakes vs High Stakes High-stakes tasks typically make up a larger percentage of the overall course grade Low-stakes tasks account for less of the overall grade and are evaluated based on the level of engagement, if at all

Features Engagement vs polish Requires minimal response Should encourage synthesis of ideas and course content Deepens learning

Features Fosters engagement among students and between you and students Helps with assessment Integrated throughout the course

Responding Various levels of response Collect especially at first Check system Assessment