Reproduction Exercise

Learners read a text, then produce their own written version from memory without looking back at the original.

Procedure

1. Learners read a text carefully, aiming for full comprehension.
2. Optionally, learners fill in an information transfer diagram based on the text's topic type (e.g., characteristics, process, physical structure) to deepen processing.
3. The original text is put away.
4. Learners write their own version of the text from memory, using the information transfer diagram as support if one was created.
5. Learners compare their version with the original, noting differences.

Tips

• The information transfer diagram step significantly increases learning benefits by providing organized support for writing.
• This is a form of guided writing that reduces cognitive load by providing the learner with ideas and organization from the reading.
• Works well as the written counterpart of oral retelling activities.
• Can be combined with the 4/3/2 technique: read, reproduce in writing, then retell orally.
• Topic type diagrams (physical structure, process, characteristics) make this technique generalizable across many texts.