Watch: Talk about Writing in Action
Metatalk about Writing Copyright University of Exeter 2025 is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
These short films were created to exemplify the approaches explored during the ESRC funded research project, Metatalk about Writing. The videos are sequenced below in the order in which they occurred. We suggest that the videos are viewed in chronological order so that it’s possible to see how opportunities for talk were sequenced and embedded alongside writing. If using the videos for professional learning or teacher education purposes, it might be helpful to pause and discuss the teacher footage before viewing the commentary.
A note on the making of the films:
The teaching footage for these films was captured during only two 1-hour long Year 7 lessons, planned and delivered by Anne at Redruth School in Cornwall. The final films are the product of creative collaboration and negotiation between teacher, researcher, and filmmaker. Whilst captured in authentic lessons, we do recognise that the filming and editing process inevitably distorts somewhat the reality of classroom practice. The films are a testament to Anne’s teaching (and courage!), but they are not intended as exemplars of fixed approaches or ‘best’ practice. The films provide rich examples of how one teacher embedded the principles explored during this research project in her own classroom. We hope that these films will be used to support reflection on and development of similarly principled practice.
I would like to thank Anne and her students for their incredible creativity, enthusiasm and bravery during the making of these films.
Ruth Newman, Principal Investigator, Metatalk about Writing.
Whole Class Talk about Writerly Choice
In this video, Anne talks with her Year 7 English class about the language choices in an extract from the text, A Tell Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. Anne and Ruth offer commentary on the teaching choices and underpinning principles.
Teacher-led Modelling, Part 1
In this video, Anne models an approach to a writing task. Anne explains the choices that she made in her own writing and invites students to comment on these choices. Anne then encourages students to think about their intentions for their own narratives. Towards the end of the video, Ruth offers some thoughts on the teaching and underpinning principles.
Teacher-led Modelling, Part 2
In this video, Anne shares some of her own writing and asks her Year 7 class how she might develop the writing to make it more effective. Anne explains this approach to modelling, and Ruth offers some comments on the teaching and underpinning principles.
Metatalk about Writing: Fostering Writing Conversations
In this video, Anne engages a Year 7 student in a ‘writing conversation’. Anne reads the student’s writing and asks specific questions about his choices, encouraging the student to reflect on his writing. Ruth offers some brief thoughts on this approach and the underpinning principles, and Anne reflects on the conversation and its purpose.