Posts Tagged ‘writer’s toolbox’
Friday, January 10th, 2014
Guest post co-written by W.O.R.D. Ink team members, Gannon Daniels & Vanessa Ziff Lasdon
Welcome back and Happy New Year!
In the first two installments of this WRITE-themed blog post series on literary response essay techniques (Part 1; Part 2), we addressed 5 of the elements of fiction that our acronym, PSSST, CoMe IN! represents: Narration, Plot, Setting, Style and Mood.
In this final post we’ll survey the most important element of fiction, CHARACTER, followed by 3 final elements that are a bit trickier to grasp at first, yet no less commonly addressed in essays: Symbolism, Irony, and Theme.
PSSST! CoMe IN and explore with us!
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Tags: educators, essays, inspiration, literature, parents, reading, self-expression, students, technique, WRITE, writer’s toolbox, writing process
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Sunday, November 10th, 2013
Guest post written by W.O.R.D. Ink team member, Gannon Daniels
My brief introduction of the first installment back in September considers how students don’t always know how to approach analysis of literature and often are not as familiar with the terms used by instructors when asked to write an essay about literature. The lesson I propose minimizes terms, empowers students, and creates a clear path to student-based discovery and learning.
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Tags: advice, educators, essays, literature, parents, reading, storytelling, students, teachers, technique, WRITE, writer’s toolbox, writing process
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Wednesday, September 11th, 2013
Guest post written by W.O.R.D. Ink team member, Gannon Daniels
Writing about literature can be daunting, no matter what grade or skill level. Before writing begins, students need to have a general understanding of literary elements in order to feel confident when they encounter the language of fiction often found in literature essay prompts. Early in my teaching career, I shared a lengthy literary devices handout with my students. It covers everything from alliteration to leitmotif, and the author kindly uses color-coding to clarify which terms are “elements” of fiction and which are authorial “techniques.” I thought at the time I was doing my students a great favor by providing this comprehensive resource, but I was only causing more confusion. A case of “more is too much.”
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Tags: advice, essays, literature, parents, storytelling, students, teachers, technique, WRITE, writer’s toolbox
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Tuesday, July 9th, 2013
Teachers, Librarians, Homeschool Parents, and Children’s Writers: Do not miss one of the most enriching personal and professional development opportunities of the summer: Teachers Write. By participating in Teachers Write – renowned author Kate Messner’s free, on-line summer writing camp – you learn to be a better writer, you instantly integrate into a community chock-full of captivating individuals from all over the world, you have opportunities to interact with an awesome panel of authors AND you can win free books for your classroom or library!
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Tags: DISCOVER, educators, free time, inspiration, parents, reading, REVISE, teachers, technique, WRITE, writer’s toolbox, writing process
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Tuesday, June 18th, 2013
Times are changing fast and furiously. Smart phones, iPads, iPods, and tablet devices are seemingly glued to everyone’s hands. If you haven’t already, it’s time to make the most of the latest technology this summer – or at least understand what your kids are doing with it!
This week’s DISCOVER post uncovers the best of Apple’s mobile apps for kids of all ages, as well as for educators, professionals, parents, and writers. While an app like Angry Birds is just plain addictive, consider these engaging mobile applications that offer hours upon hours of educational value. They are worth checking out! (more…)
Tags: DISCOVER, educators, free time, grammar, interactive, language, mobile apps, parents, reading, students, teachers, vocabulary, writer’s toolbox, writers
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Tuesday, April 16th, 2013
Widdershins. Isn’t that a great word? Means “counterclockwise energy” in Wicca tradition. I actually borrowed the word from an interesting 2010 lecture by poet, author and professor Cynthia Huntington, while at a VCFA alumni retreat. I collect weird words (wabi sabi is another favorite of mine. Means “perfection in imperfection” in Japanese), in case I ever decide to recycle them into new creations, such as for today’s post.
On Widdershins, and counterclockwise energy.
The kind of unusual, down-the-rabbit-hole energy required for…Revisions.
Mary Blair
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Tags: creativity, DISCOVER, energy, inspiration, OBSERVE, REVISE, storytelling, teachers, technique, writer’s toolbox, writing process
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Tuesday, March 19th, 2013
Have you ever tried to solve a What’s Wrong With This Picture dilemma? Where you stare at the image for an hour straight without seeing a darn thing, but when you walk away for a while and then take another look, the answer jumps right off the page?
Welcome to the Revision Process.
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Tags: creativity, educators, inspiration, practice, REVISE, revision, storytelling, students, teachers, technique, writer’s toolbox, writers, writing process
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Tuesday, January 15th, 2013
What is Voice? (Part 3)
In this 3-part revision series, we’ve debunked several mysteries behind the magical element within every great work of writing: Voice. It’s my hope that you’ve been able to see Voice not as an elusive and unattainable ingredient, but rather, as a series of deliberate, layered choices made throughout the revision process, and as accessible to all who practice the craft–within every genre and for any purpose. May you walk away from this series inspired to “Re-Vision” your writing with techniques that work!
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Tags: arrangement, details, editing, educator, educators, grammar, inspiration, pacing, practice, punctuation, reading, REVISE, sentences, sound, style, syntax, teachers, technique, tension, tone, voice, white space, word lovers, writer’s toolbox, writing, writing process
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Monday, December 17th, 2012
What is Voice? (Part 2)
In this 3-part revision series, we’ll debunk several mysteries behind the magical element within every great work of writing: Voice. It’s my hope that you’ll see Voice not as an elusive and unattainable ingredient, but rather, as a series of deliberate, layered choices made throughout the revision process, and as accessible to all who practice the craft–within every genre and for any purpose. May you walk away each week inspired to “Re-Vision” your writing with techniques that work!
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Tags: details, dialogue, editing, educator, fiction, grammar, inspiration, language, pacing, poetry, prose, punctuation, reading, revision, sensory details, sentences, sound, storytelling, style, syntax, teachers, technique, tension, tone, voice, white space, writer’s toolbox, writing, writing process
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Tuesday, November 20th, 2012
What is Voice?
In this 3-part revision series, we’ll debunk several mysteries behind the magical element within every great work of writing: Voice. It’s my hope that you’ll see Voice not as an elusive and unattainable ingredient, but rather, as a series of deliberate, layered choices made throughout the revision process, and as accessible to all who practice the craft–within every genre and for any purpose. May you walk away each week inspired to “Re-Vision” your writing with techniques that work!
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Tags: advice, communication, details, dialogue, editing, educators, grammar, inspiration, language, literature, pacing, poetry, practice, prose, punctuation, purpose, reading, REVISE, sensory details, sentences, sound, storytelling, students, style, subtext, syntax, technique, tension, tone, voice, W.O.R.D. of the Week, word lovers, WRITE, writer’s toolbox, writing process
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Welcome back and Happy New Year!
