This close reading activity challenges students to “translate” poetry into propositional statements in order to make students more attentive to the nuances of language.

Once a month, David Weimer uses critical-thinking prompts in section that students respond to via quick write or partner discussion.

In his sections, David Weimer does a weekly "exit poll" where students use the same piece of paper throughout the term to record thoughts at the end of section.

In her classes, Professor Judith Ryan uses colored index cards to initiate discussions.  

In Pre-Textos: Las artes interpretan, Latin American classics that might otherwise seem difficult become raw material for weekly creativity as students stretch their command of Spanish. 

In this activity, students appropriate and manipulate the words, grammar and themes of a “classic” work in order to develop their own styles as creative writers. By turning an iconic medium into a popular genre, students learn that classic writers have done the same thing, borrowing and stealing other people’s words.  

In her Expos section, Jerusha Achterberg teaches how to clearly describe the methods the will be used in a subsequent paper.  This activity was motivated by the fact that students were having trouble writing the methods section in their final paper proposals.

Students confidentially comment on and grade each other's papers.  This offers them a chance to think critically about what makes a good paper.  

This quick writing activity helps students develop mental agility by constructing arguments quickly.  It also prepares students for questions on exams.