Transform Student Writing with This FREE Google Docs "Writing Coach"
Introducing Your New Classroom Assistant
I created the Free Writing Coach. It’s a tool built directly right into Google Docs designed to act as a supportive guide, not an answer key.
This isn't another generic AI tool that rewrites student sentences for them. It's designed to mirror the kind of feedback you would give them one-on-one at their desk. It prompts them to think, encourages them to reread, and ensures they meet your specific expectations.
Here is why teachers are loving this tool:
It Prompts, It Doesn't Fix: The coach gives feedback on highlighted text, but it won't just provide the answer. It forces the student to go back into their writing and figure out how to improve it based on the nudge.
Zero Context Switching: Everything happens inside the Google Doc. No new tabs, no complicated logins, no copying and pasting into external websites.
The Mandatory Checklist: No more "I forgot the thesis statement." The tool includes a checklist on the left side of the screen that students must complete before they submit their work.
How to Use the Free Writing Coach in Your Classroom
Ready to get your students to take ownership of their editing process? Getting started is incredibly simple. Just follow these five steps:
Step 1: Get the Master Doc First, you need the template. Click the link below to access the master Google Doc containing the built-in coach. [CLICK HERE TO COPY THE FREE WRITING COACH GOOGLE DOC]
Step 2: Create Your Assignment Once you have opened the link, go to File > Make a copy. Rename this new copy with the name of your specific assignment (e.g., "Unit 3 Persuasive Essay"). This is the document you will share with your students through Google Classroom or your LMS.
Step 3: Activate the "Writing Wildcat" When students open the document to begin working, they need to activate the coach. They should click on Extensions in the Google Docs menu bar, find the Writing Wildcat extension, and open it.
Step 4: Get Focused Feedback As students write, they can highlight their text—in small chunks or the entire assignment—to receive immediate feedback. The coach will analyze the highlighted section and provide prompts to guide their revision process.
Step 5: The Pre-Submission Checklist On the left side of the screen, students will see a required checklist. They must work through their document and check off these items as they complete them. Once the checklist is done and their revisions are made, they are ready to turn in their paper!
Want a Custom Coach for YOUR School?
The free version above is fantastic, but the real magic happens when the feedback is tailored specifically to your classroom's needs.
The best feedback isn't random; it's based on the skills you have taught and the expectations you have set.
I can build that for you.
If you want to take this to the next level, schedule a professional development session with me at your school. Here is how it works:
I will run a PD workshop with your ELA department (or any grade-level team).
Together, we will determine your school's "writing non-negotiables"—the specific skills and rubric requirements that matter most to you.
I will then build a custom Google Docs Writing Coach tailored exactly to those specifications, with a checklist and feedback loop designed just for your students.
Interested in a custom setup? Email me today to schedule a time:
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