Thanks to all who have replied to my email. It’s interesting to see how many of us take similar approaches. I do start the workshop with an exercise like the Creme and Lea, Diver/Architect etc, but mine is based on Liz McDowell’s ‘Approaches to Writing’. I also include a free writing activity to help students overcome the ‘blank piece of paper’ problem, and I talk about separating the generation of ideas from the final editing.
Before posting my email on Friday, I think I felt that these techniques didn’t necessarily help students address their specific concerns about writing something ‘worthwhile.’ They often say that whilst free writing helps unlock an ability to get something down on paper (which is the title of the workshop!) they feel that the torrent of words written lack academic credibility.
Thanks again to all who replied (both to me and the list), especially Emma’s blog as it helped me realise that I need to spend more time processing the free writing activities I get the students to do, (I love Maya Angelou’s quote about the muse). I think that if I create more space in the ‘Getting something down on paper’ workshop and tease more out of the activities above, than I can lead them closer to the idea that at this formative ‘getting something down on paper’ stage, they don’t have to have something 'worthwhile ,or irreproachable' to say.
All the best
Julia
Julia Braham
Senior Academic Skills Adviser
Skills@Library
15 Blenheim Terrace
University of Leeds
Leeds LS2 9JT
T 0113 343 2606
E [log in to unmask]
________________________________
From: Emma Coonan [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 29 June 2012 16:31
To: Julia Braham
Cc: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Student writing workshop: developing confidence
Hi Julia,
I run a workshop on academic reading and writing (recently expanded from 90 mins to 2 hours) in which we look first at strategic/skim reading - navigating by key structural elements in the work - and then at the role of writing, especially free writing, as a key part of the thinking and exploring process. Among the writing strategies I discuss is Rowena Murray's writing group format which includes a timed short burst of non-stop writing, and we end the session with a 5-minute free writing activity. I've found that the "just doing it" is really the best way for participants to assimilate this and to recognise the value of getting a first pass on paper which can then be redrafted. Many are like me and very happy to talk endlessly about their essay topic or research, but the barrier of the blank page still has to be broken - and the only way to do this is, well, to do it ...
There's some background to why I'm such a fan of this exercise as a starting point in a blog post at http://librariangoddess.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/dont-get-it-right-just-get-it-written/, and course materials and a lesson plan at http://researchcentral.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/academic-reading-and-writing/.
Best wishes,
Emma.
--
Dr. Emma Coonan, M.Sc.
Research Skills & Development Librarian
Cambridge University Library
Tel. 01223-747457
--
"Historical precedent shows that we can turn out amazing human beings
without technology. Precedent also shows that we can turn out very
uninteresting human beings with technology." (Steve Jobs)
On 29/06/2012 14:58, Julia Braham wrote:
Ahh, the summer break. That time of year when we look at what we did last semester and think about ways we can make it better next time...................
I ran a workshop called 'Getting something down on paper' and asked students to identify some of the things that stopped them getting on with their writing. A high percentage talked about 'having the confidence to write' and the 'anxiety associated with trying to write something worthwhile'.
I’m finding it difficult to think of a short activity, I can bring into a 1½ hour workshop that will help them develop confidence in their writing. Has anyone else run a session like this? Any useful hints and tips?
All the best
Julia
Julia Braham
Senior Academic Skills Adviser
Skills@Library
15 Blenheim Terrace
University of Leeds
Leeds LS2 9JT
T: 0113 343 2606
E: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Member of the ALDinHE Steering Group
www.aldinhe.ac.uk<http://www.aldinhe.ac.uk>
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