Wednesday, January 20, 2016

To be able to read and write is to be empowered. Remember, slaves were forbidden to learn to read and write. Slave owners were afraid to think of slaves as human. Once you learn to read and write, no shackle can hold you.

We know that writing is important. What do I expect of you as a writer in my class? I expect you to write everyday. I expect you to create ideas and topics to write about. I expect you to write without resistance. I expect you to read your writing to others and to listen when others read their writing to you.

What does it take to be a better writer? It takes time. Always give yourself enough time to write. Good writing cannot be rushed.

Collect images, memories, and stories from your everyday world. Collect ideas from authors that you read. What do you like about a particular author’s style? Go about selecting ideas that you can use in your own writing.

Be open to suggestions and criticisms to your writing. The more eyes you have on your writing, the better it will be.

Learn to use writing software on a computer. It will take time to learn good keyboarding skills, but it will be worth it.

Write everything down. Keep paper and pencil handy. Any time that you get an idea for a story, essay, or poem, write it down.

Use your brain. Put your brain to work when you write. Make connections. Explore those connections.

There are many ways to get your point across. Describe it! Compare it! Associate it! Analyze it! Apply it! Argue for or against it! Just do it!