Blog #11 FareWell from the Scriptive Realm

FareWell from the Scriptive Realm

As we bid farewell, let words linger in

the air,

a tapestry of tales, crafted with care.

 descriptive writing, a farewell embrace,

capturing moments, leaving a trace.

 

In the realm of words, where tales unfold,

 descriptive writing, a treasure to behold.

Reflection on the writing process, a guiding light,

perfecting the craft, making narratives take flight.

 

Mastering the art, a writer's grand quest,

exploding the moment, emotions at their best.

Hooking and reeling them in,

with words that dance and stories that begin.

 

Making up with the 6 + 1 writing straits,

guiding pens through literary gates.

Persuasive writing, a force to reckon,

 persuasive circles, arguments interwoven, unbroken.

 

Strolling through the garden of the 6 + 1 straits,

 ideas bloom, creativity elevates.

In the canvas of words, a masterpiece we create,

 a symphony of voices, a narrative fate.

So here we part, our stories complete,

in the garden of words, our paths may meet.

Persuasive circles and descriptive grace,

a goodbye woven with words, a poetic embrace. 

 

As we journey through the realms of prose,

each word a seed, the garden it sows.

 In the tapestry of tales, we find our kin,

a world of wonders, where stories begin.

 

Blog # 10 Strolling through the garden of 6 + 1 Writing Traits

 Strolling through the garden of 6 + 1 Writing Traits

This week, we took a stroll through a student's piece of writing, where we delved further by applying the 6 + 1 traits of writing. This was in preparation to review a student's writing piece. Reflecting and using the 6 + 1 Writing Traits is like taking a stroll through the garden of effective communication. Each trait is a different flower, contributing its unique colour and fragrance to the overall beauty of a piece of writing.

 

We commence with the foundation: Ideas. These are the seeds you plant, the concepts that will grow into the lush foliage of a composition. Just like a well-nurtured garden, writing needs strong roots. 

 

Organization is the gardener's touch, arranging ideas in a way that makes them flourish. Without a clear structure, your garden—and your writing—might end up a tangled mess.

 

Next up is Voice. This is a piece of writing's personality, its distinct flavour. A garden without personality is just a patch of green; similarly, writing without a unique voice lacks charm. 

 

Word Choice is the colour palette of a garden. Just as flowers paint the landscape with hues, word choice adds vibrancy to any writing piece.

 

Sentence Fluency is considered the rhythm of a garden. Picture your sentences as the breeze, carrying the fragrance of your flowers across the reader's mind. 

 

Conventions are the well-trimmed edges of a garden—punctuation and grammar are the shears that keep everything looking tidy.

 

Then there's the presentation, the final touch. Just as a well-presented bouquet showcases the beauty of its flowers, how you present your writing enhances its overall appeal, whether it is formatting, font choice, illustrations, or presentation matters.

 

Let's talk about the +1, the secret ingredient: Ideas. It's not just about having ideas; it's about presenting them in a compelling way. Like a hidden garden within a garden, this trait weaves through the others, tying them together into a harmonious composition.

 

So, as you tend to the garden of your student's writing, remember the 6 + 1 Writing Traits. Nurture your ideas, organize them thoughtfully, let your voice shine, paint with words, create a rhythmic flow, trim the edges, and present it all in a way that captivates your reader. Happy gardening!

 

 

 

Blog # 9 Persuasive Writing Circle

                                       

 

Blog # 9 Persuasive writing circle

 

A persuasive writing circle is like a creative enclave for wordsmiths with a penchant for persuasion. Picture it as a gathering of minds, each armed with the power of rhetoric and the art of influence. Members come together to share ideas, critique each other's work, and refine their persuasive techniques. It's a collaborative space where the alchemy of persuasion is dissected, discussed, and enhanced. Think of it as a workshop for honing the craft of convincing others through the written word. Whether it is refining arguments, perfecting appeals, or just revelling in the magic of language, a persuasive writing circle is a haven for those who believe in the persuasive power of prose.

 

A persuasive writing circle typically refers to a community or collective of individuals who share an interest in honing their skills in persuasive writing. This is precisely what we did this week, and it stood out for me. These circles can take various forms; ours took the form of a circle based on the topic you chose to write about. As Members of each persuasive circle came together to discuss techniques, provide feedback on each other's work, and offer support in crafting compelling suggestions to add to each other persuasive pieces of writing. It was a collaborative space where we were able to refine our topics and points. Joining a circle was a valuable way to enhance one's persuasive writing skills. It was an invaluable way to learn from others and receive constructive criticism to improve the overall impact of our individual persuasive writing pieces. I benefited tremendously. What did you get from this strategy? Do share.

If you are interested in this type of strategy in your persuasive classroom, here are a few benefits

1. Critical thinking: engaging in discussions within the group helps students develop critical thinking skills as they analyze and evaluate different perspectives and arguments,

2. Confidence Building: presenting and defending one’s ideas in a supportive environment boosts confidence. Students can refine their ability to articulate and defend their opinions.

3. Diverse Perspectives: exposure to a variety of viewpoints within the group encourages students to consider different perspectives, making their writing more nuanced and well-rounded.

4. Collaborative learning: Collaboration fosters a sense of community and sharing learning. Students can benefit from the collective wisdom and experiences of the group.

Blog # 8 Develop compelling content

 

                          Develop compelling content 

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Hello again, ladies,

In our society today, the internet, including social media, television and radio, bombard us every day with things we need or think we need. Have you ever tried walking down the aisles of a supermarket during the Christmas holidays? The music they play and their decorations are all geared to encourage you to buy more than you intended. 

These tactics are all persuasions which are used to make us purchase more. Let us transfer these tactics in our classrooms. By learning persuasive writing, students can formulate specific reasons for their opinions and research facts related to their opinions. 

Persuasive writing is a form of non-fiction writing that aims to convince readers to believe in an idea or opinion. It is a critical skill for students to learn as it helps them develop logical arguments, use carefully chosen words and phrases, and present their ideas and opinions constructively when writing. Persuasive writing also plays an essential role in our everyday lives, from the TV chef telling us to cook healthy meals to a magazine article detailing why we need to exercise regularly. Each provides a point of view and uses facts to back it up to persuade readers.

Our students have many opinions on things they have seen or heard; their opinions would be different from their peers. Giving them opportunities to share their stance is critical in their development as writers and people in society. Many persons, including students and teachers, considered this the most challenging piece of writing to put on paper. This fact is actual since your stance must be backed with proven facts. Once you get the hang of teaching persuasive writing, it will be more appetizing to students. 

I start with using deserts, and students are asked to look at the menu after eating their meals. Convince their friend why they should choose their favourite dessert. What dessert would they eat and why? Pictures of different deserts are given to them so that they can see. Students write three points and share. Also, I use cross-curricula activities such as writing to the tourism minister and telling him/her why recycling materials in schools is crucial. 

 There are many additional ways to help your students write an excellent, readable, persuasive piece. Feel free to share what you have done or practice in your classroom. I have provided some steps and a video to help guide you.

 

Here are steps to consider when doing persuasive writing with students:

1. Firstly, select a topic; students can be given a variety of topics to discuss and choose from

 

2. Allow students to choose a side; this can be for or against their topic.

 

3. Getting students to understand their point of view, looking at it from both sides.

 

4. Research: When writing, you are writing from the side of experts. Therefore, researching materials and then using the most decisive stance.

 

5. Counter opponents' points; to do this, students must research their opponent’s points. 

 

6. Create a thesis statement, the sentence or phrase to guide your persuasive piece. It must include a subject, conflict and opinion.                                     Video on persuasive writing. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1irs-qY7Uw

Blog # 7 Making up with the 6 + 1 straits

 

Any writer can say that learning the craft of writing is more than enough of a challenge. Teaching that craft to others can be much more difficult. As teachers, we have to do both in order to be effective teachers that get results in the classroom. The 6 + 1 writing Trait is a model to help students learn how to write effectively. According to the model, six key traits make up quality writing and an extra trait. The six traits are ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions. The seventh extra trait is presentation.

This week, each blogging group were given the task of presenting one of the writing traits. I compare it to getting ready and putting on makeup.

Firstly, Trait one: Ideas ensure you know where you are going; having that idea will drive the entire makeup and contouring process. Similarly, ideas make up the bulk of the writing—the meaning and development of a piece. Like a well-made face, ideas involve showing to the reader, not telling them. Priming one’s face can help the ideas/makeup stick to it.

Secondly, Trait two is organization; making up one’s face is a process that must be followed step-by-step to get great results. Likewise, this particular trait involves how you structure your piece of writing. It also involves the path guiding the central meaning, the pattern, and the sequence of a piece. The organization is only strong if it fits the ideas, just like choosing and organizing your make in the order you will put them primer, eye colour, foundations, contour, setting spray and lashes.

Trait three: Voice

Mixing foundation is essential in getting the right shade to allow your face to speak and look flawless. Similarly, whenever a writer begins a piece, they write with a particular tone. This is known as their voice. This is where a piece of writing gets its heart, that individual piece of the writer that cannot be copied. Like my shade would not be your shade, get your shade/ voice.

 

 

 Trait four: word choice

Now that we have found our correct foundation shade, we will now use our brush (word choice) to blend it into our skin. This part is critical since you want the makeup to become part of your face. In the same way, a writer’s choice of words can make a significant difference in a work. Not only does word choice show functionality and an understanding of language, but it can move and inform the reader. Keep blending sisters with the right brush/word choice.

 

 

 

Trait five: Sentence fluency

It is essential to know that a piece of writing without rhythm and flow can be awkward and slow a reader’s progress through the piece. In like manner, doing your makeup involves high lighting and contouring; these are to highlight key points on your face. When the light hits, it will glow. Writing with cadence, rhythm, movement, and power will allow the writer to write fluidly, and the reader will be able to read the piece fluidly without pausing to say, “Wait, what was the writer just trying to say?”

 

Trait six: conventions

It is time for our setting powder and spray; these are used to fix what you put on your face. These will allow the makeup to stay on a date night or just out with the girls, just like conventions, which deal with the mechanics of a piece or using it to correct a piece of writing. Five elements are involved: spelling, capitalization, grammar, punctuation, and paragraphing. Keep in mind what setting spray you are using since we all have different types of skin. In like manner, when teaching writing conventions to students, it is vital to keep their grade level in mind. 

 

 

The extra trait: Presentation 

Finally, we are here to finish the touch/presentation, a little eyelash for those who like it. In a nutshell, presentation is how the writing is viewed on paper. Someone whose handwriting is illegible can still likely have their writing rejected, no matter how well-constructed and vivid a piece of writing may be. This trait stood out for me, just like eyelashes or eye colour can make or break a look. A poorly presented work can detour a person from reading a piece. Completing the right step can make or break a look. Technical writers especially pay close attention to presentation as they include plenty of visual aids and graphics along with their text.

Voila!

 

Let us use these makeup/ straits to help build confident writers. As they make giant strides towards lifting their voices and ideas off the pages. 

 

Blog #6 Hook them and reel them in !

 

Leads that hook reader's

Have you ever been fishing? What did you use to catch the fish? Every good fisherman needs bait and the right hook. Without a hook and only bait, you will be toiling in the hot sun in vain. Do you know that stories have hooks? Yes, fishing can be applied in writing narrative leads.

This week, we were all encouraged to put down our nets and use a hook. Why? Because the aim was to catch more than one fish and not those that would nibble and go away. A narrative lead or (hook) is a literary technique used in the opening of a story. It is the opening sentence of a story that captures the reader's attention and entices them to read further. It should be engaging, informative, and relevant to the topic being written about.

I am an avid reader, and nothing gets to me more than a boring book; after the first two pages, I will put the book down because I already know what to expect, so there is no need to continue reading. As a teacher, I can testify to how a good story would captivate my students, who yearn to learn more. Many want you to continue reading or anxiously anticipating the start of the next day's reading session. 

Well, we can apply this to their writing, helping them to write good leads to keep their readers captivated, just like the stories they listen to during reading sessions. Some students are excellent writers; however, some need more assistance. It is our duty as teachers to help them along.

I believe in providing them with suitable examples and having class discussions on why persons who go fishing use a hook—and then bringing it back to the classroom by demonstrating just how a fish can be caught using a hook. Similarly, as writers, we should also hook our reader's attention.

I am suggesting the following strategies/tips if you decide to help students or even yourself write good narrative leads.

When fishing, you would need bait to put your hook in the water. So start with a question or a bold statement that grabs the reader's attention.

Most fishermen use colourful baits with hooks to attract the fish. Likewise, use vivid imagery to paint a picture in the reader's mind.

Her clothes and face were drenched with blood as she took flight away from the body as the crowd began to gather.

Keep it short and sweet.

If you put too much bait on your hook, what would happen? The fish will eat and then go away. So avoid giving away too much information to your readers.

 

Happy fishing, guys!

Blog#5 Exploding the Moment Bulletin Board

 

As a kid looking at movies, I enjoyed the moment when the scene rewinds and the person goes back in time or slows down. There is usually some broken glass shattering or bullet ripping through the scene, leaving ripples in its wake. It feels excellent to experience a moment in time when everything has basically come to a halt.

We could see in action and zero in on a time or moment from a video presentation. This is a technique used by authors to alter the way a reader sees time. This time-altering writing style is referred to as an ‘Exploded Moment.’ I never knew the name associated with this technique. I only look at it as slow motion or talking in my head so we can understand what is happening better. I learnt that authors used these moments in writing to draw the moment out as if it were happening in slow motion.

Interestingly, this technique not only helps us as readers feel the same level of disorientation the main character is feeling, but it also allows the writer to explore all the minute details, sounds that happen, emotions racing through your veins and visuals that the main character just cannot seem to peel their eyes away from the pages. Unimaginably, an exploded moment let all this happen in just a short time, creating that slow-motion effect.

 As I am about to do my narrative writing, this is a technique I will incorporate into my writing, and I am sure you will, too.

Sensory details

adding the right amount of sensory details, we can take a small moment that, in reality, lasts only a few seconds to create an intense piece of writing; check it out below; 

My hands extended out and caressed the shimming black that captivated my attention. I see myself trying on those lovely pair of Michael Kors. My foot has a will of its own as it slowly slides into the velvet cushion, and my toes wiggle in its plush softness. The black patent colour with red under-trimming screamed joyfully as it welcomed its owner home. A smile emanated from my face, and a warm feeling flowed through my veins. My long-last wish is now granted. As the store clerk packaged my black beauty, I saw it going with my milk-white dress and gold hoops. As I moved towards the cash-out line, I hugged my box with all my might, ready to pay. When suddenly, a ringing sound vibrated through the air, ‘Oh gosh,’ I cried; it was my 5 o’clock alarm. (by Cordy).

The author above could have just said she tried on shoes, but the readers would have missed all those little details and actions. As a reader, this technique made me feel like I was in the moment, too. Sensory details are not the only technique authors use; some use repetition to make the moment seem like it is also going in slow motion.

Keep these in mind since I also want to use this technique, and if you are too, let us recognize that using exploding the moment throughout our narrative piece will become redundant and boring. Instead, we can look for the moment our main character experiences an exciting or fearful moment. Where the character is facing the consequences for their action and something of importance is revealed.

I am currently searching for a video to help my students when I return to the classroom. Feel free to share what you guys found. I will pick the best one or use different ones to drive the point home.