Free Writing
Purpose
A time to write anything that comes to mind. No editing or revising. Helps build confidence and identity as a writer.
How
- Choose a length of time for free writing—2–5 minutes usually
- Write on any topic or idea—anything that comes to mind
- Write, type, speech-to-text, or doodle for the full time without stopping
- If you can’t think of what to write, just write “I can’t think of what to write” until you think of something else
- When the timer is up, you’ll have a few ideas on your page
See it in Action!
Watch:
Freewriting 101
This video is from a college about essay writing—but freewriting works for every type of writing.
Watch here
Practice:
Free Timed Writing
This short clip from the Instructional Strategies for Writing e-learning introduces the purpose of free timed writing and how it supports adult learners.
Timestamp: 9:35 – 13:51
Watch here
Add Complexity:
- Expand on some of those ideas by writing more about them later or adding them to other writing
- Provide writing prompts or topics to write about
- Generate topic ideas in discussion with learners
Learn More:
Kate Nonesuch: Keeping the flow of writing going
A resource to help learners build fluency and confidence.
Writing Out Loud (Pages 27–43)
Freewriting ideas based on writing about interesting words, objects, and using the five senses.