The style files: teach explicit skills with feedback

Abstract

I write having just come back from the gym: my biceps are tired from hammer curls, my lats from pull downs, my hamstrings from Smith machine lunges. In building strong bodies we know to exercise individual muscles. Sound programs of weight training build broad strength that then power us to play sport and live life. Why then do so many of us fail our students by simplistic ‘teaching’ of writing skills?