75+ Ideas of What to Say During a Writing Conference, and When to Say It!

Do you sometimes wonder if you're giving students the most helpful advice at the right stage when you talk to them about their writing? Here, I have compiled a list of 79 thoughts, activities, and responses to give students during a writing conference. I have taught writing and writing workshop for over 20 years, and these are my most effective methods. In addition, I give a flow-chart of what to (generally) check for first, next, and so on when you see a student's draft. The flow chart has 11 steps (though not all need to be checked for every assignment) and each step recommends you to a corresponding area of advice. The areas of advice include:

GENERAL ADVICE
"I HAVE NOTHING TO WRITE"
ADDING CONTENT / ELABORATION
THESIS
DETAILS
THEME
ORGANIZATION
INTRODUCTION
CONCLUSIONS/CLINCHERS
LANGUAGE
TITLES
CONVENTIONS and SPELLING
REVISING POETRY
ENDING A POEM

Each area of advice has several suggestions below it from which to choose. This packet is perfect for use in a writing workshop or for the days you want to help your students with their drafts outside a workshop. It is a compilation of knowledge, experience, and trial and error from years and years of writing conferences!