As an educator, software developer, math competition problem writer, and public speaker, I am regularly required to take pen (or keyboard) in hand, and turn out writing that is easy to understand and technically accurate. Whether it's a software help file, a geometry problem, a motivational speech, or a sermon, my writing has to be clear and to the point.

Writing should never occur 'in a vacuum'. A student who believes he is writing simply to get a grade in English class has less incentive to improve than the student who understands he will have to use those writing skills throughout his life.

When I was in high school, one of my English teachers had a creative way to introduce technical writing. He brought a block and tackle to class, and demonstrated how to reeve it*. Then, after we had seen how it was done, we were given our assignment. Write a paper explaining, in detail, how to reeve a block and tackle.

At first none of us thought this would be difficult, but as we began to write, we quickly realized that understanding how something is done is not the same as being able to put it into words. It was a challenging exercise for all of us, and it changed the way we looked at writing.

The 'block and tackle' exercise is just one of many ways to encourage clarity in writing. Any tasks--even everyday ones--can be turned into opportunities for technical writing. Here are just a few:
 

• Tying your shoes
• Playing a musical scale
• Dribbling a basketball
• Cooking a favorite recipe
• Changing the oil in a car

Students may have ideas of their own. Teachers in other disciplines may have more ideas, and may even be interested in co-grading students papers, such as lab reports, essays, or term papers. Working with teachers across disciplines will also help students appreciate the value placed on good writing.