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Developing a Writer's Toolkit - Part II ( Part I ) by Cafi Cohen |
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Include Writers’ Vocabulary in the Toolkit
When some authors discuss improving writing technique, they use terms like nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositional phrases, parallellisms, semi-colons, modifiers, danglers, antecedents, and tenses. Because those who write about writing use these terms, those of us who read these authors need to know the lingo, the tools of the trade. Some homeschoolers will prefer to learn this vocabulary with a formal grammar program, like Wanda Phillips’ Easy Grammar or Warriner’s English Grammar and Composition. A good alternative, a short summary of "the rules" is Strunk and White’s classic, The Elements of Style. Other homeschooling parents will prefer to help their kids learn a writer’s vocabulary in the context of the kid’s writing. This means learning about nouns and verbs and correcting punctuation and usage errors as they appear each kid’s writing samples. Nancie Atwell, in her book, In The Middle, describes this procedure in detail. Review And Rewrite, Rewrite, Rewrite Most published magazine pieces are the result of at least two or three revisions, often ten to twenty revisions. At first, almost all teenagers will resist rewriting anything, so call the first effort a draft to encourage thinking of it as something that needs revising. Again, Nancie Atwell’s book is an invaluable guide to critiquing your kid’s writing and posing questions that will help him see the need for rewriting. As your teenager’s writing becomes more sophisticated, he may want outside input. Encourage him first to submit his pieces to other local adults whose opinions about writing you respect. Eventually, your older kid may want to find a writing mentor. Homeschooler Amanda Bergson-Shilcock and Susannah Sheffer, editor of Growing Without Schooling, taped a fascinating presentation, "Finding A Mentor: Our Journey," at the GWS 1997 Conference (tape available at 617 864-3100). The discussion shows how valuable a writing mentor can be for a young author and describes how to find one. My recent experience with this column illustrates another reason to seek outside input. Other readers can help you avoid looking Really Stupid! I submitted a piece on volunteering a few months ago. We were in the middle of moving preparations; and, counter to my usual procedure, I did not ask anyone else to read the column before submitting it. Unfortunately, the piece contained a glaring logical inconsistency, which one of the readers rightly called me on in the September-October issue. I had actually noticed the inconsistency a few weeks after submitting the column, but it was too late for revision. Read About Real Writers’ Processes There is no One Right Way to begin a paragraph, research topics, organize material, or edit papers. Some writers only define their objectives after they begin writing a piece. Like me, they use writing to clarify thinking and discover their themes. Others work from detailed outlines with all content defined in advance. Some authors edit for content and mechanics at the same time. Others worry about content first and address mechanics later. Many famous authors dictate everything and leave the transcription and punctuation to someone else. Others have to work with certain pens and specific types of paper. Many could not produce anything without a word processor. Because there is No One Right Way to improve writing, build a writer’s toolkit by exploring the varied ways different individuals approach their writing (see Sidebar). Among the incredible variety of real writing processes are be tips and hints that will appeal to you and work for your kids. Address Writer’s Block In reviewing successful authors’ processes AND by trial-and-error, we learned a few techniques to overcome writer’s block. Brainstorming heads the list. Let’s say your homeschooler wants to enter a non-fiction contest but cannot decide on subject. He begins by simply writing down all the possible subjects that are part of HIS experience (e.g. skateboards, hiking, action movies) and then lists ideas he associates with each subject. It is fun to do this as a family or with a group. Many find that discussing topics helps them decide on a theme. Another aid to writer’s block, especially for some boys who simply hate the process of putting pen to paper, is dictation. You say your kid will NOT keep a journal? Have him emulate the many great writers who dictate everything. Your teenager can orally review the previous day while you write or type. Alternatively, he can dictate onto a cassette tape and transcribe it himself. In either case, he has done the tough part, articulating the ideas. Separating the two processes - description from transcription - overcomes many cases of writer’s block. Keyboarding skills and word processors are also part of our Writer’s Toolkit. Our son began writing more consistently once his keyboarding skills allowed him to bypass pencil and paper. And, of course, word processors enable all of us to endure and even sometimes enjoy the revision process. Grammar checkers on word processors actually taught our kids some usage principles I had given up on. Some homeschooling parents credit communicating via modem --writing e-mail and contributing to various computer bulletin boards -- with stimulating an interest in writing when all else failed. I myself generate reams of first-draft material on homeschooling computer bulletin boards. Of course, you need to exercise caution with the Internet, but the possibility of helping your kids find others with compatible interests and writing about those interests is probably worth your extra time. ******* You have a wealth of resources available to help you with your older kids’ writing. The suggestions here are merely a beginning. Do peruse some of the readings listed in the sidebar. Most are not new and should be available through the library. Once to you have expanded your Writer’s Toolkit, you will be in a better position to help your kids. Try the different successful approaches that you read about. Let trial and error work for you and your teenagers. Finally, allow your kids time to find their own voices, using processes that work for them. Resources for Writing The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White: Tiny volume is a powerhouse of grammar and usage. Real Lives: Eleven Teenagers Who Don’t Go To School edited by Grace Llewellyn: Read essays by eleven homeschooled teenagers, published authors all. In The Middle: Writing, Reading, and Learning with Adolescents by Nancie Atwell: Detailed suggestions for responding to your kids’ writing; super appendix lists include writing contests and publications that accept writing from teenagers. Writing Because We Love To: Homeschoolers at Work by Susannah Sheffer: Practical suggestions for helping writers aged 10-15 with the writing process. On Writing Well: An Informal Guide To Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser: One of my favorites. Intended for adults but so well written, most teenagers will enjoy it as well. How To Write Fast (While Writing Well) by David Fryxell: Great advice on everything from researching to generating exciting opening paragraphs. Edit Yourself: A Manual For Everyone Who Works With Words by Bruce Ross-Larson: Two column format helps writers identify problems (first column) and generate fixes (second column). © 2002 Cafi Cohen. All rights reserved. Re-printed with permission. |
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Cafi Cohen began homeschooling in the 1980's and together with her husband Terrell educated both of her children at home through high school. Both her son and daughter were admitted to their first choice colleges on substantial scholarships. She contributes to several homeschool publications, including Home Education Magazine, Homeschooling Today, and the LINK. Her books include: "And What About College?" How Homeschooling Leads to Admissions to the best Colleges and Universities, Homeschooling the Teen Years, and the Homeschoolers' College Admissions Handbook. Visit Cafi's web site, Homeschool Teens and College | ||
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