The WRITEWISE as a Pedagogical Innovation: Improving Essay Performance in Higher Education Assessments

Essay-based examinations remain a fundamental component of academic assessment in higher education. Despite possessing sufficient subject knowledge, many students underperform in these assessments due to poor essay structure, limited elaboration, and weak argument development. These issues are not unique to a specific institution; they are well-documented challenges in academic writing across various educational contexts (Wingate, 2012). In Malaysia, research highlights that undergraduate students, particularly those in public universities such as Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), frequently exhibit writing deficiencies, including grammatical inaccuracies, disorganised content, and inadequate elaboration of key points (Siti Hajar Halili, Nor Fariza Mohd Nor, & Jusoff, 2009; Zawani & Isa, 2021). WRITEWISE: Mastering Essay Techniques for Exam Success is an innovative writing strategy to address these persistent challenges. The WRITEWISE method introduces a four-step framework that guides students through constructing effective essay responses. These steps include (1) identifying the main point, (2) defining the main point, (3) elaborating on the definition, and (4) providing a relevant example. This structured approach is designed to enhance clarity, logical flow, and the depth of written arguments. By supporting the development of essential academic writing skills, WRITEWISE improves student performance in written assessments and fosters stronger written communication. The framework has the potential to be integrated into existing curricula or writing support programs, serving as a practical tool to advance writing proficiency in tertiary education.