I really liked chapter 7 in Modern Library Writer's Workshop on "Working and Reworking." First, I like that he mentions that there should be as many drafts as are needed when writing. It's something that should be emphasized to students. Many students are taught that one first draft is necessary, peer-editing or editing of some sort should take place, and then they should create a final draft and hand it in for a grade. In this case, students who may not get a good grade after that one first draft and revision are going to begin to think they are poor writers. If we as teachers emphasize that there should be multiple drafts that just keep happening until the piece of writing is what they want it to be, students may realize that there are not just innately "good" writers, and that it takes everyone practice and perseverance. If it's not great the first time, or the second, or the third, just keep writing until it is!
I also loved his "10-percent solution." Koch recalls that Fred Astaire told a young film-maker, "Make it as good as you can. Then cut ten minutes." (174) That really is such great advice that would not occur to me as a perfect way to teach students to cut "wordiness" and redundant points, etc. This ensures that everything is concise and that everything that is in the paper, story, whatever it may be, really is necessary and adds to the piece -- not just makes it the required length assigned.
You make some great points Katie. One draft really isn't enough in most cases. I think it will be helpful in our teaching to have an ongoing writing project such as a writing workshop so that students are able to make as many drafts of a piece as they want before they must submit a final draft for a grade. This way they have time to develop their ideas and add new material and take out parts that they don't need. I think that writing should be a running part of our classroom where students should be working on their writing a little bit at a time and then give them time here and there during class to peer edit and work on drafts.
ReplyDeleteI think it is really important for students to be able to write more than one draft for a paper or assignment. Actually, I feel that teachers should allow students to make as many drafts as they feel necessary. This means that there is always room for improvement and that a student's grade (especially if it is poor) is never final.
ReplyDeleteThis will work to promote student accountability for their grade. There will no longer be the excuse "There's nothing I can do." There will always be work to do with this method of teaching writing.