An article on "WRITING" from the writer's point of view. This list should be posted in all writing classrooms.
The author responds to some of the mythical ideas of writing in a brief narrative on "writing".
1 - Writing is done to create experiences and explore ideas.
2 - The writer is the first reader ... sometimes the only reader.
3 - Writing is not a matter of taking dictation from yourself; it is more like a conversation with a highly responsive and reflective other person.
4 - Writing can be reflected upon, altered, and even erased at will ... and also gives the writer power to manipulate time ... speech, once uttered, can rarely be revised.
5 - Writing is "plastic art" - it can be done in several places and directions concurrently.
6 - Spelling, punctuation, capitalization, paragraphing, neatness, etc. are necessary aspects of the transcription required to make written language manifest. For ALL writers, undue concern with transcription can interfere with composition (the creative and exploratory aspect of writing).
7 - The only difference between writers and people who do not write ... writers write.
8 - Writing fluency and facility comes with WRITING.
9 - The easiest way to learn to write is to see something you would like to say being written.
10 - One learn to write by READING.
11 - The classroom atmosphere is NOT the most reasonable place in which to expect children to learn to write.
12 - Thoughts come WITH writing. Writing may never come if it is postponed until we are satisfied that we have something to say.
13 - Writing is hard work and requires concentration, physical effort, and a tolerance for frustration and disappointment.
14 - Writing generally requires many drafts and revisions to get ideas into a form that satisfies the writer. A separate editorial polish is required to make the text appropriate for a different reader.
15 - Writing cannot always be "done to order".
16 - The act of writing does not break itself into neatly identifiable and manageable "steps".
17 - Writing is not a sedentary activity -- that's unrealistic.
18 - Writing is not a silent activity -- writing frequently involves making noise, exchanging ideas, expressing exhilaration or frustration.
19 - Writing is not a solitary activity -- writers need other people to stimulate discussion, provide spellings, listen to choice phrases.
20 - Writing is not a tidy activity.
21 - Writing is not the same for everyone.
and
22 - People who teach writing must be able to 1) demonstrate what writing does and 2) demonstrate how to do it.
Teach children to write with a purpose -- the primary purpose being one's own joy and satisfaction.
The author responds to some of the mythical ideas of writing in a brief narrative on "writing".
1 - Writing is done to create experiences and explore ideas.
2 - The writer is the first reader ... sometimes the only reader.
3 - Writing is not a matter of taking dictation from yourself; it is more like a conversation with a highly responsive and reflective other person.
4 - Writing can be reflected upon, altered, and even erased at will ... and also gives the writer power to manipulate time ... speech, once uttered, can rarely be revised.
5 - Writing is "plastic art" - it can be done in several places and directions concurrently.
6 - Spelling, punctuation, capitalization, paragraphing, neatness, etc. are necessary aspects of the transcription required to make written language manifest. For ALL writers, undue concern with transcription can interfere with composition (the creative and exploratory aspect of writing).
7 - The only difference between writers and people who do not write ... writers write.
8 - Writing fluency and facility comes with WRITING.
9 - The easiest way to learn to write is to see something you would like to say being written.
10 - One learn to write by READING.
11 - The classroom atmosphere is NOT the most reasonable place in which to expect children to learn to write.
12 - Thoughts come WITH writing. Writing may never come if it is postponed until we are satisfied that we have something to say.
13 - Writing is hard work and requires concentration, physical effort, and a tolerance for frustration and disappointment.
14 - Writing generally requires many drafts and revisions to get ideas into a form that satisfies the writer. A separate editorial polish is required to make the text appropriate for a different reader.
15 - Writing cannot always be "done to order".
16 - The act of writing does not break itself into neatly identifiable and manageable "steps".
17 - Writing is not a sedentary activity -- that's unrealistic.
18 - Writing is not a silent activity -- writing frequently involves making noise, exchanging ideas, expressing exhilaration or frustration.
19 - Writing is not a solitary activity -- writers need other people to stimulate discussion, provide spellings, listen to choice phrases.
20 - Writing is not a tidy activity.
21 - Writing is not the same for everyone.
and
22 - People who teach writing must be able to 1) demonstrate what writing does and 2) demonstrate how to do it.
Teach children to write with a purpose -- the primary purpose being one's own joy and satisfaction.
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