Ideas to motivate reluctant writersSuggestions from the Sheena Cameron workshop
Who are the reluctant writers?They are usually, but not always male.
They are usually reluctant readers.They usually have poor spelling and punctuation skills.
They are easily distracted from writing and reading tasks.They work slowly and often their work is frequently
incomplete.Their written work is often messy.
Their books are frequently disorganised and tatty.They avoid starting writing and use excuses, such as “I
can’t find my pencil.”They will not share their written work in a group.
They sometimes lack life experiences.They usually have some difficulty with reading.
They usually like being read to.They usually like to make and build things.
They have sometimes developed strategies for masking their reluctance.
Reluctant writers are generally reluctant because they have had very little success!
So…What do Reluctant Writers Need to be Successful?
They need to be identified as a reluctant writer.Identify the barriers that make a writer reluctant.
Reduce or remove barriers.An incentive to write.
Experiences, or triggers to help them remember one.
Writing about topics they know about/ have experienced/ what’s in front of their nose.
Recognise that they have things to write about and share. To understand that good writers write
about the ordinary in an extraordinary way.Recognise that their interests and what they know about provide a good source of writing
material.
Reference List:
The Writing Book on facebook - thewritingbookfacebookThe writingbook.comhttp://sheenacameron.com/
Different experiencesDo something View something Listen to something
Go for a walkMake somethingDrama activityTopic activityInvite a visitorGrow somethingCook something
PhotoVideoPerformanceIllustrationObject
StoryMusicInterviewMessagesLetterPodcast
Speed Writing – start with one word and see where it leads - introduce an ICON to help with focus
Start words could be: OUCH!
STOP! OutstandingThunderSleepingLook ….
Using videos - National Geographic – I’m Little but I am a Great Winner example
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBEyCr5AoIsWatching the video and recording the events in orderPurpose of writing task – writing a letter to the squirrel’s mum telling about their day
Note taking – an important skill that can be transferred into other learning areasCriteria set for their letter writing -
Reading work aloud – students make more correctionsICONS – introduce these through your quick writes
Structure of a narrative example – Whistleless – https://vimeo.com/98919897could also develop a character web – showing the relationships between the key charactershttp://www.ted.com/talks/david_gallo_shows_underwater_astonishments?language=enwatching the pictures and writing the commentary
Book trailers for readers
http://motivatingboywriters.blogspot.co.nz/
Other writing ideas:Comic strips and Graphic novels - visuals to support, concepts of
print (speech, thought bubbles) Writing buddies – writing alone in silence isn’t everybody’s thing
Blogging Hands-on poetry activities – blackout poetry
Photo journal with captionsMinecraft story starters
Book of Bad ideasVisual prompts
Talking tinsSuitable apps
If I can think it …I can say it.
If I can say it …I can write it.
If I can write it …I can read it.
And so can others!
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