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Showing posts from November, 2024

Writing as Self-Care

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What better care it is than to write?  Pick up a pen and let the words flow. Feel the words , soft and slow, A reason to heal , a reason to grow,  A reason to write with all your might. Grab a journal, grab a book, No right or wrong, just start with a book. Your heart, your mind, all set to play, Writing will definitely brighten your day. What’s on your mind?  There is no holding back , On the page, just keep that ink intact .  If you are feeling happy or perhaps sad, Writing is a medicine that makes your heart glad. When life gets tough, when stress runs high, Pick up that pen, and give it a try. You might just smile, feel light and free, As you write your own self care recipe. So what will you write today? Let us take a pause,  Whatever it will be, just write away ! Job well done, take a round of applause.  

Reflection on Our Blogging Experience

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  Our blogging experience has been quite a journey, filled with both creative achievements and unexpected challenges. Initially, we were eager to create our first blog, excited about sharing our ideas and connecting with an audience. Setting up the blog seemed straightforward at first. We selected a theme, customized the design, and began working on our content. However, as we moved forward, we encountered an unexpected challenge that complicated our plans. After creating our initial blog, we discovered that in order to post content, we were required to set up a payment plan. The platform offered an upgrade to a premium account, presenting it as the only way to publish posts on the site. This came as a surprise, as we had assumed that the basic features of the platform would allow us to share our work without additional costs. Faced with this situation, we had to make an instant decision. Rather than committing to a paid plan immediately, we chose to start over and create a new blo...

Digital Story Telling

 Explore Digital Story Telling with your students.  Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

Active Voice vs. Passive Voice

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The way sentences are constructed has a significant impact on how readers interpret and engage with writing. Two key sentence structures are active voice and passive voice. Both are tools that writers use to shape their message and tone. Understanding the differences between these two can help writers make deliberate choices to convey their ideas effectively. What is Active Voice? Active voice occurs when the subject of a sentence performs the action described by the verb. This structure follows a straightforward pattern:  Subject → Verb → Object.  Sentences in the active voice are direct, clear, and engaging, making them a preferred choice in most forms of writing. Example: The dog chased the ball. Here, the dog (subject) performs the action of chasing the ball (object). Active voice is concise and dynamic, emphasizing the doer of the action. It lends a sense of immediacy and energy to the text, which is why it is commonly used in storytelling, persuasive writing, and in...

Why Writing Is the Ultimate Voice

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Imagine standing in a room full of people, all speaking at once. Everyone has something to say, but only the loudest voices seem to be heard. Now, imagine finding a way to quiet the noise, to command attention, and to ensure your story is told exactly as you want it. That is what writing does, it gives you a voice that cannot be interrupted, misunderstood, or silenced. Growing up, I was not the loudest person in the room. In debates, I would think of the perfect response only after the moment had passed. I often felt like my thoughts were racing to catch up with the conversation, and by the time they did, the opportunity to speak was gone. However, when I wrote, it was different. Writing gave me the time and space to shape my ideas, refine my arguments, and express myself fully. My words became powerful because they were mine, unfiltered and deliberate. Some might argue that other forms of expression, like speaking, painting, or music, can serve the same purpose. While each has its mer...

How Writing Became My Sanctuary

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A Journey with Words As a child, writing felt like magic. I remember sitting on the steps of my home with a notebook in hand, pouring my thoughts onto the page. The world around me became a canvas, and my pen was the brush painting vivid stories, poems, and letters. I would write about everything, from the the rustling leaves outside my window, the laughter of my family and friends, and even the stray cat that visited our backyard. Each word felt like a piece of me, capturing moments I never wanted to forget. Even now, as an adult, writing holds the same wonder. There is something about sitting under a tree or by the ocean, surrounded by the sounds of nature, that stirs my creativity. The gentle breeze, the chirping of birds, and the scent of fresh air become my muses. Writing outdoors feels like a dance with the earth, as if my words are in tune with its rhythms. Some of my favourite pieces were born during these quiet moments in nature. I would sit for hours, letting my thoughts flow...

Make Writing Your Lifestyle

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 Why You Should Write Every Day Writing is more than just a skill; it is a way of life. It is a habit that can unlock creativity, sharpen your thinking, and bring clarity to your emotions. Whether you are a seasoned writer or someone picking up a pen for the first time, writing daily can transform your life in ways you might never expect. Here are some compelling reasons to make writing a part of your lifestyle: 1. Writing Clears Your Mind Life can get overwhelming, with thoughts swirling around like a storm. Writing helps organize those thoughts, giving them structure and meaning. Journaling or free-writing can feel like a mental cleanse, making space for fresh ideas and perspectives. 2. It Boosts Creativity The more you write, the more creative you become. Writing challenges you to think outside the box, play with words, and explore new ideas. Over time, you will find that creativity seeps into other areas of your life, from problem-solving at work to planning exciting ...

Team Building in Writing

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Writing teams can create more compelling and memorable stories together by focusing on collaboration, creativity, and communication.These tips encourage a healthy team dynamic and help build a cohesive, polished narrative.   1. Start with a Shared Vision Before diving into the writing process, ensure that everyone is on the same page. Discuss the core idea, theme, or genre of the story. This shared vision helps guide all team members towards a unified goal and ensures consistency in the narrative. 2. Divide the Tasks Based on Strengths Identify each team member’s strengths and assign writing tasks accordingly. Some may excel at creating vivid settings, while others might shine in character development or dialogue. Tailoring tasks to strengths fosters collaboration and ensures high-quality contributions. 3. Brainstorm Together A collaborative brainstorming session is a great way to generate ideas for characters, plot twists, and settings. Allow everyone to pitch ideas...

A Fun and Interactive Narrative Writing Experience

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My narrative writing class on Friday, October 25th, was easily one of the most enjoyable sessions I have had in the Promoting Writing course. We focused on the core elements that make a story come alive like, setting, plot, characters, and conflict. Learning these on their own would have been great, but it was the group activity that really made everything stick. The activity was done in such a fun, interactive way! First, we brainstormed ideas for a story title. Everybody pitched in, and the room was buzzing with creativity. After we shared our ideas, we voted on which title had the best vibe. I tell you, when the votes were tallied, the title that won was “The Tale of the Rasta Pasta Caught in the Pot.” Now, if that is not a title that grab yuh attention right away, I do not know what is! Everybody had a good laugh, and it felt like a story just waiting to be told. With the title decided, we were split into four groups, each taking a different part of the story. One group focused on ...

BECOMING A BETTER WRITER

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 7 Fun and Interactive Ways to Boost Your Skills Writing is like any other skill. You get better the more you practice. But who says improving your writing has to be boring? Let’s make it fun, interactive, and, most importantly, something you actually  want  to do. Whether you are working on essays, creative writing, or just looking to express yourself better, here are 7 creative ways to boost your writing skills while having a great time! 1.  Play Word Games (Yes, Really!) Writing does not have to start with a blank page. Get your mind warmed up by playing word games like Scrabble, Boggle, or even online word generators. These games push you to think on your feet and stretch your vocabulary. The more words you know, the more you can play around with when you write. You’ll soon find yourself using all kinds of interesting words in your stories or essays! 2.  Write a "Story Jar" Ever run out of inspiration? Let the Story Jar save the day! Write down dif...

GROWTH UNLOCKED: Unit Six

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Interacting with this unit has provided an opportunity to explore the differences between the process and product approaches to writing. It has demonstrated how each approach functions and the benefits that can be gained from using both in the classroom.  Unit 6 Comparing approaches to Writing  The content of this unit exposed me to comparing approaches to writing, providing valuable insights that will significantly enhance teaching writing.The understanding of two essential approaches, the process approach and the product approach, offers key perspectives on how students develop their writing skills and how they can be supported in becoming great writers. The process approach emphasizes writing as an ongoing, dynamic process, where students focus on drafting, revising, and editing to improve their work over time. This approach highlights the importance of encouraging students to embrace multiple drafts and revisions, rather than focusing solely on the final pro...

GROWTH UNLOCKED: Unit Five

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The benefit of this unit lies in its ability to develop writing skills by adapting to different writing tasks with more confidence and versatility. Interacting with this unit has shaped the way I organize thoughts, craft clear arguments, and use descriptive language to evoke emotion or paint vivid images. Writing in different genres also enhanced my creative level especially in poetry, where I learned to express emotions and ideas in a more imaginative way. Unit  5 Writing Genres This unit on writing genres has been an enlightening experience that has allowed me to explore various forms of writing, such as descriptive writing, informational writing, journals and letters, narrative writing, persuasive writing, and poetry writing. However, it has also highlighted several challenges that I faced while writing specific pieces within each genre. One of the most significant challenges I encountered was in descriptive writing. I often found it difficult to balance vivid descriptions with ...