When children are taught to appreciate the freedom and power of self-expression, they become motivated to master writing skills. Ways of encouraging creative writing in the classroom are offered. (DF)

Teachers must first become confident with their own writing before they can guide students toward being effective writers. Insight into understanding writing behavior and developing trust and control are offered. (DF)

Behavior modification techniques were used in an attempt to raise secondary school students' performance in creative writing. Incentives involved points, appropriate levels of teacher comments, and promise of a letter to parents. Results showed a considerable increase in essay scores on all variables considered (fluency, elaboration, and…

The use of foreign language classroom conversation as a prewriting exercise, to help students discover composition topics, discuss the pros and cons, shape the narrative or thesis, and gather detail in a coherent way, launches the composition process and makes the homework of writing and proofreading more interesting and initially less difficult.…

Creating humorous characters is one way to infuse a language arts program with creativity. (Editor)

One of the questions an author/illustrator of picture books is often asked is: "Who do you write and illustrate for?" This paper asserts that the most successful creations are those produced without too much concern for how they will be received, or by whom. They do not set out to appeal to a predefined audience, they build one for…

Presented completely in Spanish and intended for elementary level students, this book offers 12 writing ideas and several suggestions on how students can make a book using their writing. Each writing idea is presented with a brief description (addressed to the student), several examples of student writing, and a blank page on which to write.…

A story told about soliciting comments and criticisms from students during a class one day reveals a number of disturbing techniques used in academic story-telling. Such story telling, which has become increasingly common in academic teaching/writing journals of late, creates the deceptive impression of sincerity and intimacy. In this case, the…

This paper describes, reflects on, and analyzes the process of engaging student writers in a creative-critical writing workshop in which they not only work toward presenting a portfolio of original work, but are engaged in performance, dramatic intervention, and creative challenges to texts. The paper explains how students are invited to meet…

This book contends that, by putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), young people can learn to express their true feelings, understand themselves, create, re-create, and explore who they are and want to be. The book stresses that besides developing and sharpening creative communication skills, personal writing is even good for mental health…

This teaching guide packet is designed to accompany a 3-part television series, "Poetry Heaven," which captures many of the brightest and most memorable moments of the 1996 Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival. The series presented in the packet features 18 poets whose personalities, voices, and points of view reflect the power and…

Sheding self-consciousness by donning another personality, and then hearing the approving laughter and applause of their classmates fills children with great excitement as well as a sense of wonder about what they have accomplished. (Author)

Describes the "Story Workshop" method of teaching creative writing in freshman English at Columbia College, Chicago. (RB)

Discusses children's writing in terms of purpose, audience, and imagination. (RB)