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The Writer’s Workshop. The Purpose of the Writer’s Workshop. In a writer’s workshop, a group of writers comes together to read, discuss, and critique each other’s work . Your main objective is to improve your group mates’ writing as well as your own. 5 Rules of the Workshop.
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The Purpose of the Writer’s Workshop • In a writer’s workshop, a group of writers comes together to read, discuss, and critique each other’s work. • Your main objective is to improve your group mates’ writing as well as your own.
5 Rules of the Workshop • The workshop is a safe place. You can and should give observations and critique on the material as long as it’s not personal. • Critiques should be grounded in an action the writer can take to make his/her work better. Ex. “I can’t really get a feel for the setting. Considerproviding more details.” • NEVER attack another’s writing, thoughts, or beliefs. It’s one thing to say the political statement in paragraph three doesn’t seem to fit the message of the piece. It’s another to call that political statement wrong or stupid. • Only say something when you have something to say. • “Protect the material.” Meaning, anything said by the participant is “sacred.” We don’t talk about ideas, personalities, other’s experience, etc, outside the classroom.
Your Job as the Writer • First, tell the group what your objectives were. This is important because the readers can assess how affective you were in accomplishing those goals. • Second, as the workshop is taking place, you should be jotting down notes and what is being said. • Third, it’s your job to accept or disregard any of the feedback your group provides. Some input you’ll find helpful; others, not so much. It IS NOT your job to get defensive. • Ultimately, consider all your feedback, take some of it, and go your own way.
Your Job as a Reader • Your job as a reader is to to offer insights into what you read, to neither remain silent nor to offer bland approval. • We are here to excite the writer’s imagination with new ideas as well as support the writer on his or her creative journey. Offering our reactions to work can be a stimulating and creative experience for both the critic and the writer. • Read closely for specificity. Remember: It’s not a bird in a tree, but a mother blue jay protecting the oak nest where she was hatched, by pecking the blade of the approaching bulldozer.
How to Do It • Writer A will state his/her purpose for the piece. What is s/he trying to communicate about his/her identity? • Writer A will read his/her narrative as the group reads along. • As Writer A reads, each group member jots down notes ON THE PAPER. • What’s working? What’s not working so well? What does the author do really well? What can the author work to improve the piece? Consider all the tools of nonfiction we’ve discussed in class. • After Writer A is finished reading, ON THE PAPER write down TWO things that are done well and ONE thing to work on over the weekend. BE SPECIFIC. • Finally, discuss the piece. What worked? What didn’t? Was the author effective in his/her purpose? • Writer B will take over and repeat.
How to Do It 5. After Writer A is finished reading, ON THE PAPER write down TWO things that are done well and ONE thing to work on over the weekend. BE SPECIFIC. 6. Finally, discuss the piece. What worked? What didn’t? Was the author effective in his/her purpose? 7. Writer B will take over and repeat.
