We have all experienced writer’s block at various times in our lives. So we can all empathize with adult learners when they tell us that they just couldn’t think of anything to write about. Unfortunately, in order to help an adult learner improve his or her writing skills, we really do need a writing sample to begin the process. And it’s also true that the best way to become a better writer is to write as much and as often as possible.
Many tutor-learner teams have successfully used journal writing strategies in order to encourage writing, but even learners who have experience writing in personal journals or dialog journals will from time to time need a gentle push to get them rolling.
That’s exactly the purpose of The Write Brain Workbook: 366 Exercises to Liberate Your Writing by Bonnie Neubauer (2006, Writer’s Digest Books). This colorfully illustrated book has writing prompts for each day of the year plus one more for good measure.
Here are just a few examples of the prompts found in this helpful workbook which is available free for tutor-learner teams in the Project Read office.
Far, Far Away: Think of a person who really bugs or annoys you. Think of a place you’d like to send this person. Then—mentally—send them there! With that in mind, start with: “The post card arrived from…”
Choices, Choices: Choose one:
A. I’d like to be able to fly using my own powers
B. I’d like to be able to make myself invisible
You possess this super power for the story you are about to write. Start with:
“It was just a teeny-weeny little lie…”
Snooping: Think back to a time when you looked someplace that you shouldn’t have. Example: looking in the drawer of the nightstand of the people you were babysitting for. Write about this episode, and don’t forget to embellish it and tell what you found!
Start with:
“When I opened…”
Although some of the 366 writing prompts may not be interesting or engaging to your learner, there is a good chance that you will find a few new and exciting ideas that will help him or her with the process of getting those thoughts down on paper. And you might find some topics you’d like to write about, too!
|
