Allison Behne
A few weeks ago, when I finished writing an article for The Daily CAFE website, I called my friend Jessica to share it and get feedback. Unfortunately, she wasn’t available. I called another friend, but she was busy too. Bummed that I had missed the chance for a rich conversation that could have taken my writing deeper, I put a few finishing touches on the article and turned it in.
The disappointment I felt that day made me think about how my students must feel when they want to share their writing but are unable to do so. We can learn a lot through reflection and by putting ourselves in the shoes of the learner.
Think about yourself as a writer.
- Where do you get your inspiration?
- Do words and ideas come easily, or do you struggle to put pencil to paper?
- How many drafts do you write before getting to a version that satisfies you?
- Do you like to share your writing with other people?
When the mood hits me, I love to write. Sometimes when I see a picture or event, or when I’m feeling passionate about a particular topic, I'm inspired to write. But finding the time to sit in silence and just think can also inspire me, or I might wake up in the middle of the night with a spark of an idea. No matter what inspires me, once I have something written, I often like to share it and get feedback from other people.
On the other hand, when I have a deadline or a specific topic assigned to me, I seem to lose all competence as a writer. I stare at a blank screen and sort through many beginnings to try to find my groove. I look at the clock, make excuses to come back later, and struggle to articulate my thoughts.
It’s the conditions surrounding the writing task that make the difference. Our level of interest in a topic, the purpose of a piece of writing, the opportunity to collaborate and share with colleagues and/or peers, and the time that we have to process our thoughts—those are all key elements in promoting a motivating and supportive writing environment.
As teachers, we are often asked how to motivate reluctant writers. I believe reflecting on our own writing experience provides us with the answer to that question. What motivates you to write? Use what you know about yourself as a writer to help you guide the writers in your class.
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