Brainstorming is the most effective technique in getting students to write, especially those out of practice in the writing process. It allows students to jot down random thoughts, ideas, topics to research, bullet points, sentence fragments and words that immediately come to mind. Brainstorming (sometimes called freewriting) can take as much or as little time as necessary to develop a topic.
Good storytelling is a rich writing resource, and weaving those experiences into an essay or assignment can liven up just about anything. Good stories often come from students' experiences. To help them get started, remind students of all the good stories they remember when they were younger and why they are memorable. Asking students to use their favorite authors to show how they write about personal experiences can help writers.
Grammar issues plague students at the elementary, high school and college levels. Teaching writing should include grammar concerns and tip sheets to help students who struggle. Use anonymous examples of students' work and allow students to work through the grammar problems. A grammar "test" in the beginning of the course can help diagnose even the simplest problems so that the teacher can hold workshops fir topics on which students need work. Recommending books such as "The Elements of Style" by Strunk & White can be a good resource.
The learning journal is a way for writers to reflect on what they learn in class and the learning process. Students write about what troubles them along with any concerns of the writing process. Teachers can gain insight about how students learn. It also can be a place for students to experiment with new writing styles to express ideas and thoughts not attached to any particular assignments. Learning journals also get students into the practice of writing.