The Book | The Writing Revolution

You may need a writing revolution in your classroom. Here’s how to lead it.

Expectations about student writing have changed dramatically in recent years.

Most state standards now require teachers at almost all grade levels to ensure that students learn to write not just traditional narratives, but also informational and argumentative pieces. The standards, however, don’t explain how to reach those goals. Teachers and students need a roadmap, and that’s just what The Writing Revolution (TWR)—also known as The Hochman Method—provides.

While we need more research on how to teach writing effectively, the research that has been done supports TWR’s approach: deliberate practice of specific techniques, along with targeted feedback. TWR offers a clear, coherent method of instruction for any subject or grade level that turns struggling writers into strong communicators, deepens their understanding of content, and develops their analytical abilities.

The Writing Revolution’s method enables educators to teach writing skills and content simultaneously. There’s no separate writing block and no separate writing curriculum. Instead, teachers of all subjects adapt the strategies and activities to preexisting curriculum and weave them into their content instruction.

Read The Writing Revolution and learn how to help your students:

Write with structure, clarity and coherence
Uncover and address mistakes in interpretation
Boost reading comprehension
Improve organizational and study skills
Enhance speaking abilities
Develop analytical capabilities

The Writing Revolution will help you understand what The Hochman Method is all about and enable you to experiment by using the strategies and activities with your students. We have found that the best results are achieved when educators receive training and support focused on evidence-based practices for teaching writing.

Find out more about our courses and school partnership opportunities.

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"The writing strategies discussed in this book are life changing for students who are exposed to them. A must read for educational leaders, teachers, and parents…giving students the power of the pen to write their way to a successful future."

— Deirdre A. DeAngelis-D’Alessio, Principal, New Dorp High School

"This program has the power to illuminate and make big ideas and big content move into the minds of our young people. Hear my plea… do not dismiss the work of The Writing Revolution. It represents the highest art of teaching."

— David Coleman, President and Chief Executive Officer, The College Board

"The Writing Revolution, true to its name, is a truly revolutionary resource for educators. This revolution is an awakening of consciousness firmly based in research, strong and easy-to-implement practices, and most importantly, refreshingly rational thought about writing instruction in particular, and literacy in general."

— David Abel, Chief Academic Officer ELA of UnboundEd

"Every once in a while, you find an outstanding method that is clear, makes sense, and is embraced by teachers and students alike, and what’s most important, works! This is how I would describe The Writing Revolution. I have observed it in action, and I have been encouraging teachers to learn about it and use it. Students who are engaged in this find that not only their writing skills but also their thinking and reading skills improve as well."

— Sally E. Shaywitz, M.D., Author of Overcoming Dyslexia (Knopf), The Audrey G. Ratner Professor in Learning Development, Co-Director, Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity

"As someone who has dedicated my life to writing and reading, I enthusiastically endorse the method so lucidly presented in The Writing Revolution. This book will give our nation’s students a solid writing foundation because it shows teachers how to teach, not just assign, writing."

— Peter Travers, Rolling Stone Senior Writer and Film Critic

"The Writing Revolution offers teachers across the content areas ground-breaking guidance on how to develop all students into clear, coherent young writers."

— Jessica Matthews-Meth, Former Director of Secondary Literacy for DC Public Schools, currently supports teacher development as an instructional coach in the District of Columbia

"As an author, I am deeply concerned about the vast number of students who cannot express themselves with clarity in their writing. The Writing Revolution is grounded in research, has been proven effective by decades of classroom application, and is impeccable in its logistics."

— Mary Higgins Clark, Bestselling Author

"The Writing Revolution offers a clear, practical, research-based methodology for instruction. From teacher to administrator, all educators will benefit from this book – the authors demystify the teaching of writing so that we may better fill the world with strong writers."

— Esther Klein Friedman, Ph.D., Executive Director, Literacy and Academic Intervention Services

"The practices and approach laid out within these covers work. We had the good fortune to discover Dr. Hochman’s approach in 1988 through our son, who was her student at Windward. Since then, we’ve taught writing using the Hochman method to elementary school reluctant writers in Harlem, adolescents studying the trades in Vermont, community college students struggling to put words to paper, and to hundreds of teachers baffled by how to improve their students’ writing. We celebrate the arrival of this lucid guide to making every student an articulate, confident writer."

— David and Meredith Liben, Student Achievement Partners and ReadingDoneRight.org

About the Book

The Writing Revolution: A Guide to Advancing Thinking Through Writing in All Subjects and Grades

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You may need a writing revolution in your classroom. Here’s how to lead it.

Expectations about student writing have changed dramatically in recent years.

Read The Writing Revolution and learn how to help your students:

Read the Foreword by Doug Lemov