The writing essentials

Writing Essentials Chapter 1:
Consider the writing essentials listed on page 13. What is your response to these, as a writer and as a teacher? Which do you think are easy, and which are challenging? Does one strike you as being particularly powerful or problematic? 

As a writer, I look at the writing essentials and think “there is no way I consider all these a checklist while I write. I hope I cover all of them and I feel I do most of the time.” For myself, I prefer to write then go back over the checklist to make sure I attended to all those points.

The teacher side of me is influenced by my own writing style. I hope that kids work similar to my way, which is writing and looking back over it to make sure all the essentials have been fulfilled. But, my teacher side knows kids don’t all think like me. There are many different learning, and writing styles. It is important the kids know these essentials, and are comfortable with them. This means introducing them to the kids and having them practice, probably a lot.

I don’t think any of the writing essentials are easy. I think they are all challenging and require a lot of experience to master. I, a college graduate, have yet to master most, if not all of them. Which essentials are more difficult than others varies. Sometimes I have difficulty finding my voice, other times I have difficulty choosing an appropriate topic. However, I try not to let my difficulties stop me from writing. If I focus too much on the essential I am having trouble with, it paralyzes me and my writing goes nowhere.

Just as I think all the writing essentials are difficult, I also think they all can be powerful or problematic. Again, this varies all the time.