Many students at any age feel their writing skills are not strong. Part of the problem is that students compare themselves to published, well-known fiction authors who have editors and publishers who revise and edit before any copies hit the book shelves. Students need to be made aware sometimes a book can take 5 years to complete; sometimes even longer!
How do writing workshops help?
Anytime a student writes an essay, regardless of grade level, a good technique which can be used in a classroom is to “workshop” their writing. What this means is after the student feels their rough draft is complete, partner up with a fellow classmate and switch papers. This can also be called Peer Reviewing since the students will conference with one another to each with their writing skills.
By having students participate in writing workshops, the classroom becomes a non-threatening environment and allows the student to feel comfortable with its peers. Instead of the teacher sitting with each student individually correcting their work together, the students sit together and review how to fix their writing. Besides the student’s writing skills improving, they are participating in cooperative learning which teaches skills for future success.
Another form of work shopping can be done with larger groups of students or the entire class. This is usually done at the high school and college level and allows a dialogue to be developed among students. Teachers do not force any student who is not comfortable speaking in front of the classroom to share; but they will encourage.
For more information regarding writing skills and workshops, visit http://www.NCTE.org for more information and ideas.