7th Grade English Name:________________________

Writing Workshop

Introduction Class:________ Date:___________

What is Writing Workshop?

Writing Workshop is a chance, in English class, for you to write. You will be able to experiment with, try out, and explore different kinds of writing…

…choosing subjects that interest you

…having a chance to make mistakes without worrying about a grade

…learning to produce writing in the classroom, with others working around you

…trying to write different kinds of things--fiction, poetry, nonfiction, drama…

Why is it called a “workshop”?

A workshop is where craftsmen and artists work creatively.

A workshop is a place work gets done.

A workshop is a place where craftsmen have the tools they need to work.

In a workshop, the inspiration comes from within the artists, not from a boss.

A workshop is usually risk free; if the craftsman produces something that the craftsman doesn’t like, s/he can treat it as a learning experience without having it graded by others.

In a workshop, artists are free to ask other artists for opinions about each other’s work without fear of being intimidated or laughed at.

A workshop, finally, produces work that craftsmen and artists are eventually proud to show the world.

Turning our English class into a workshop…

Your class will have its Writing Workshop days on every other week, on the last lesson of the week. Sometimes that's Thursday, sometimes Friday. (On the other alternating weeks, we'll have Reading Workshop.)

A Writing Workshop lesson:

1. Mini-Lesson on some type of writing or some other writing activity

2. Practice of that type of writing by you

3. Time to work on the piece of writing you are currently working on (from your folder*) or start a new piece

4. Sharing time, to take a look at what someone else has written, or show someone else what you've written

4. Putting writing back in folders; replacing folders* in the file cabinet.

But what will I write?

Anything, really. You might be writing poems, while someone else is writing a short story, while someone else is writing a comic book. You decide…However, as you’ll see, you do have to at least try different forms of writing as the weeks go by. You can’t write the same form all the time.

Sounds easy. I can do whatever I want. This class is going to be nothing! An easy grade!

Actually, there are requirements.

Writing Workshop gets three grades for the term:

1) Working in class, instead of wasting time.

2) Producing writing (or brainstorming) while you are in class, whether it’s good or bad.

3) The final pieces you select for evaluation (along with your “Reasons Sheet”* first semester).

*Your folders and the “Reasons Sheet” will be explained in class.

FAQ, and other matters.

Does this mean we’re not reading books in class?

No. We’ll still be reading books, too.

I can’t write on paper; I like to write on a computer.

There are lots of advantages to that. If I had computers for everyone, I’d give you the choice. But if you think you can write only on a computer, you have some bad news coming in the rest of your educational career. Learning to write with paper and pencil/pen is still, even in the 21^st Century, an important and valuable skill.

You mean even my final copy will be written by hand? Not typed on a computer?

Yes. As amazing as it seems, that’s what I mean. On that final copy, you’re trying to be as neat as possible, and have correct spelling, and good handwriting, all without the help of a computer. (NOTE: This is not true with the final project—see bottom of this page.)

I can’t write in a classroom with all these other people. I have to be alone by myself.

Again, there are lots of advantages to that. But again, if you think you can only write in a room by yourself, or that you can’t write or come up with ideas in a classroom, you also have some bad news coming. Learning to generate ideas, and write, in a room with others working around you is something to practice and get better at.

How can you give a grade to creative work? Isn’t that just your own opinion?

In many ways, yes. That’s why the “Reasons Sheet” and your drafting and re-drafting are such important documents. I am mainly trying to judge how seriously you are taking your own writing. In addition to that, my experience as a teacher of English gives me some leeway in judging the quality. What you have to trust is that I will be fair (which I will be), and that I will never make fun of you or your writing (which I will not).

What if I’m a slow writer?

You can be slower than others in class; that’s natural. But there is a requirement about producing work, remember—good or bad. Plus, there’s the requirement of producing different forms of writing. I believe you will have enough time in class to write everything that you need to write. If you think you need to take your writing home, please ask me before taking anything home from your writing folder.

What about those requirements? How many finished pieces will get graded?

For now, let’s find out together how long it takes you to produce finished writing. These first five weeks or so will be an experiment for that. We will work out the requirements together after we’ve been working a while, and you have a better idea of how much you can actually produce in class each week.

So I write all this stuff, some good, some bad. Then do I just throw it all away?

No! All of this is leading to the major project of the last term. Sometimes the project is a personal anthology; sometimes a class anthology; sometimes posters to go on the walls. I haven't decided this year's project yet.

It’s not due until the last term, so don’t worry about it now…just be thinking about it.