Structures Blog About us

Sign in Register

Structures with writing

Writing is thinking you can re-read. In these structures everyone writes at the same time — before the group talks — so quiet thinkers put an answer on the table too, and nobody rides along on the first good idea. Individually on paper first, together after.

16 structures in this theme

Numbered Minds
Everyone gets a number in the group. Write individually, discuss together — then the facilitator picks a number to explain the answer.
Materials in the basic kitEveryone joins inCooperative learning
2–6 · 3–5 min4.5
Full steps after registration
Think, Write & Share
Write individual ideas, compare them in your group and share the combined list with the class.
Materials in the basic kitEveryone joins inHigher-order
2–6 · 3–5 min5.0
Full steps after registration
Written Thoughts
On an open question everyone writes ideas — one per slip, said out loud and put in the middle, until the time is up. Then the group sorts the pile: what belongs together, and what is that group called?
Materials in the basic kitEveryone joins inHigher-order
5–7 min
Full steps after registration
One by one
Independent work through a series of questions or tasks: the whole class on the same item, and a look back together at the end.
Everyone joins in
Alone · Pair · Group · 5–15 min
Full steps after registration
Incident Method
An 8-step intervision technique where one participant brings a work situation and the group searches for insights together.
Higher-order
40–50 min
Full steps after registration
Socratic conversation
A 7-step intervision technique based on cardinal virtues: the presenter describes a situation up to the hot point, and the group explores the essence together.
Everyone joins inHigher-order
30–90 min
Full steps after registration
Dominant Ideas
A 7-step intervision technique: the group together looks for dominant ideas in the presenter's situation and formulates alternatives.
Higher-order
40–50 min
Full steps after registration
Flashcards
Participants create question cards and practise in pairs by asking and answering each other's questions.
Own materials neededMaterials in the basic kitEveryone joins in
7–10 min
Full steps after registration
Jigsaw
The learning material is divided into 2–6 parts. Each team member becomes an expert in one part, shares that knowledge in an expert group, and returns to their home group.
Materials in the basic kitEveryone joins inChanging groups
30–45 min
Full steps after registration
Gallery Walk
Every team lays its work on the table and picks a keeper who stays with it. The rest go on tour past the other tables and give feedback on the questions on the screen; the keeper writes it down. Back at the table the keeper reports, and the team reflects.
Higher-orderChanging groups
5 min
Full steps after registration
Placemat
Each participant writes their answer individually, shares it and together finds a consensus.
Materials in the basic kitEveryone joins inHigher-order
10–30 min
Full steps after registration
Snowball (1-2-4-All)
Start individually, combine in pairs, merge in groups of four — and build shared insight step by step.
Everyone joins inHigher-orderChanging groups
20–35 min5.0
Five Whys: root cause analysis
Root cause analysis: find the underlying cause of a problem by asking 'why?' five times in pairs. A Toyota technique.
Everyone joins inHigher-orderLean
10–15 min
Full steps after registration
World Café
A large conversation across many tables: after each round you move on and cross-pollinate ideas, then harvest common patterns together. Related to Liberating Structures. Developed by Juanita Brown & David Isaacs.
Higher-orderChanging groups
40–90 min
Full steps after registration
The worst plan
Flip it around: imagine how you'd ruin your goal, look in the mirror, and stop one thing. A playful reverse brainstorm. Making Space with TRIZ — a Liberating Structure.
Higher-orderLiberating Structures
Alone · Pair · Group · 15–30 min
Full steps after registration
Case clinic
A 7-step peer consultation method without a single piece of advice: the group says not what it thinks of the case, but what the presenter's story stirs in them — an image, a feeling, a gesture.
Everyone joins inHigher-order
45–55 min
Full steps after registration

More collections

All structures →Five-minute structures Short structures (up to 10 minutes)Structures for speaking skills Structures for listening skills Structures for reading skills Learning in motion: structures with movement Retrieval practice structures Ice-breakers for class and team Energisers for class and team