How to Use Short-Form Writing Assignments in Achieve to Boost Student Engagement

Learn how to use the Short-Form Writing tool in Achieve to integrate low-stakes assignments that boost student engagement and assess understanding in small chunks.

Suzanne McCormack · Last Update: May 2026

A still image of History 1220: Practice Course for Achieve/

This week, my students are engaged in low-stakes writing. Using the Short-Form Writing tool in Macmillan Learning’s Achieve platform is an effective way to integrate writing assignments into your course, whether you are grading for performance or simple participation.

Why I use low-stakes writing assignments:

These assignments help me learn more about my students' unique writing abilities early on. Assigning two or three small tasks allows me to:

  • Identify writing challenges before the final research project.
  • Assess student understanding of course material in manageable chunks.

Watch my short video walkthrough below to see exactly how to set up this tool in your own Achieve course: