Fun with Basic Writing

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Writing Together:

This is an interesting exercise to do in class.  It will help you get started with writing and sharing your writing.

STEP I: 

At your desk in your classroom, write 50-100 words on one (or more) of the best experiences you've ever had with writing, and write another 50-100 words on one of the worst experiences you've ever had with writing.  If you can't think of a "best" and/or "worst," just simply write about two writing experiences that you remember, and why you remember them.  Give plenty of details so that you can write enough words!

STEP II: 

(a) Writers: Now get into small groups of three or four people (no more and no less!).  Choose one of your two writing experiences from "STEP I," above, and read it aloud to your group.

(b) Listeners: After each writer is done reading his/her experience aloud, each listener in the group should ask the writer one question--anything that pops into the listener's mind.  Every listener must ask a question.  The listener should then write down three things: 

1. the name of the reader 

2. the question you asked him or her

3. the answer he or she gave you

Each listener should be sure to ask a question and write down these three items.  Take turns, and be sure that all listeners have taken their turn before someone else reads aloud.

STEP III:

Then share your results with the entire class.  Do this as follows:

1. Have your first reader stand up, introduce himself or herself, and then summarize in only one sentence or phrase the experience the reader read to your group.

2. Then have each other person in the group stand up and repeat the question he or she asked and the answer she received.

3. Do this briefly and quickly with each reader's experience--and each question and answer about it.

(STEP IV--Optional, if Time Allows):

When everyone is done, write 50-100 words about what you learned, felt, or found interesting about other people's writing experiences, either in your group or in the whole class.

Return to beginning.

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Most recent update: 5-15-03
     

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