Assign students multiple, relevant published/professional writing examples to read. For instance, if students are writing personal essays, assign published, creative non-fiction/memoir essay reading assignments. These readings should offer insight into the ways that a given genre's model can be modified and elaborated upon to achieve non-formulaic results.
Compare and contrast multiple writing examples for students with an emphasis on organization and structure. Highlight the similarities and differences between examples to encourage students to develop an individual approach to the genre. Discuss examples in depth and answer questions that students may have.
Assign writing exercises that encourage students to compose in unexpected ways that fit the genre in which they are writing. For instance, if students are writing argument essays, encourage them to diagram their argument using Toulmin's Argument Model.
Initiate the drafting process by instructing students that non-formulaic writing often requires them to work through multiple, inferior, formulaic drafts in order to achieve non-formulaic results. Depending on the genre, the drafting process may require several drafts, preferably with as much composing time in-between drafts as possible. Offer feedback with each draft to ensure progress.