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A place for Writing 12 students to read each other's writing, to critique, to suggest, to improve.
About Me
- Brad
- Former adult teacher who loves island beaches. Happy homebody and family man; once devoted dog owner, now without Tashi, my Tibetan Terrier. I prefer the absurdity of the imagination to the absurdity of imagining nothing.
11 comments:
The Most Surprise Thing
I didn’t really want to take Writing 12 at first because I didn’t believe I could write anything decent in the future at that time. As a new immigrant, it is “A Mission Impossible” I could become a good English writer; I just want to learn how to “speak”.
I was wrong. Through daily writing practice and communication with my teacher and classmates, I found I made a great progress in my spoken English. Writing helps my speaking a lot. If something I could write down, and then I could speak it.
In this class, I actually wrote two short stories, many features, and an English poem! It surprised me very much because I have never written any poem before even in my mother tongue! It is the most surprise thing this term.
A Comment from Ben:
* What advice would you give to a student who is having trouble with
writing?
Level 12 English writing class up graded my writing skills, and it's not only the academic essay formats that I have learned, but it simply inpired my writing potential to the upper level of the free sky. If someone really
wish to be a prominent writer or columnist in the future, this class could be one of your good challenge.
Ben
Think About Writing 12 Class
Our writing usually reflects our level of education. If you want to improve your writing, or you want to be able to help your young children who have trouble with writing, please come into Writing 12 class. The result will surprise you and your families!
Life becomes so meaningful with reading and writing. Writing 12 guides me in my wild jungle of imaginations; and, it donates me food, drinks and clothes to survive during difficult journey of thinking. Brad, first all, is a heart-felt friend, then, a passionate teacher. With countless stimulations of our brains, he lightens our way to become, why not, one day an excellent writer! Merci! Brad.
Helena
Los Angels is a place to dream and to act. Endless sunshine warms our skin and brain, high speed of ants-like cars eat our energy. Is it a place for writers?
Under this beautiful sunshine, people need to show off. Numerous things make me think a word - faked! Beautiful breasts and faces, brillant cars, Cucci and Dior, are they real? Or, just one part of show?
See you next Thursday!
Helena
Hi Helena,
I like Los Angels, too, especially Disney. I think most of those “brilliant cars, Gucci and Dior” are real, but not all of beautiful breasts and faces.
Have a very nice trip and see you at our “Tea Party”!
Hi Helena
Maybe an article about LA?
Dissing LA’s show-offs? The class is still on till Thursday. . .
What I liked about Writing 12 are:
I was given a lot of opportunity to write. Anyting. Whatever I pleased to do.
And the place to show and discuss (the blog).
And I really enjoyed reading my classmate’s writing. I’ve known everyone a bit better by their writing.
(I’ll write proper paragraphs and post them later.)
Stuff to write about.
1. The most surprising thing I learned about writing this term was how little I was “showing” instead of “telling” in my pieces. I never realized the importance of putting the reader right there with my character’s. I’ve found that by “showing” I can make my writing more tangible. I was also surprised how helpful “cutting the fat” turned out to be: by “cutting the fat” I mean that by re-reading and cutting out unnecessary words or phrases I cut down a piece of writing and more easily give the 300 words I’ve been asked to write as opposed to the 500 I would’ve written on my own.
2. I know now that I don’t need to use flowery language to get my point across. I’m not baffling anyone with my bull. I can tell you something straight out, eloquently and you’ll appreciate it more than if I used a bunch of pretty words.
3. I enjoyed the features for the paper the most out of all the writing we did this year. It’s an easy, straight-forward style of writing.
4. If I could change one thing about Writing 12 it would be to try more varied styles of writing. The class should try writing their own play, possibly studying a particular play write.
5. The only advice I could give a student having trouble with writing is this; Relax, take in what Brad’s telling you. It’s not as complicated as you think. Don’t make it harder than it really is.
6. My understanding of the term “reader” or “audience” has dramatically changed. I can honestly say I wasn’t even aware of the people that might be reading my words before taking Writing 12. I keep this bit of knowledge close at hand, always as I write now. I want the reader to feel, taste, hear, see, and smell whatever it is I’m writing about.
7. I can’t say I liked any activity classroom or blog more than any other we did. I did, however really enjoy the class sessions. There was always an air of comfort and fun in class. Brad is this laid back guy. The students, coming from a grueling Math or English class could just relax, kick back and have a good time. It was a time that I knew that I would probably learn something important while having a great time.
I was surprised to know that writing materials are everywhere. When I visited the passport office, I saw my surroundings more clearly then ever because the article was on my mind. And I thought, Gosh, was I sleepwalking before? There’s a lot to write about. It’s all around us. I only knew it vaguely before, but now I am convinced. It doesn’t have to be dramatic. Small things―softness of a pillow, a small hand of my kid, a hole in a sock maybe―could be a good subject. Keep my eyes open and catch them, is what I learned.
I know now that the importance of revision. Even though I constantly change my words during the first draft, taking a good look at the piece as a whole is different. I was glad when critiques showed me something I didn’t see. With practice, I learned to look for clarity. I think I have better eyes for revision now.
I enjoyed writing fiction the most. For one, I like stories, reading or writing. Once I imagine a picture, all I have to do is to sketch the scene. Also I can say anything―especially nasty, unpleasant things―in disguise of a character. This is fun. On the other hand, essays are hard because I can’t see the picture. Finding words for abstract thoughts is awfully tough. Although writing an essay refines my thinking and I like that aspect, I feel more free when writing a fiction.
My advice to a student who has trouble with writing is (Well, doesn’t anyone?): write a sentence for a starter, and keep on writing. Be patient and take your time. There’s always revision.
To Next Writing 12 Students:
You’ll get a chance to write various forms of writing. Write a paragraph a week at least, show it, and get feedbacks. You’ll improve as much as write. For a bonus, you’d have better understanding of yourself in the end.
Hi, everyone
I really enjoyed studying with you.
Have a great summer holiday.
Writing 12: The Unforgettable Course
“If only I could spend more time for writing practice!”
Whenever I faced in-class tests at English 12, I felt frustrated with my lack of ability in writing. Because the term was only four months, I couldn’t find a solution of my writing problems.
Since writing 12 consisted of two terms, it made me relaxed. The teacher provided us with helpful lessons in class and the new exercises on the Blog, so I could review the basics while learning creative writing. At the beginning, I was shy and didn’t feel like showing my piece of writing on the Blog. But soon, I found out the benefit of having readers: the comments or suggestions from my classmates were important, which led me to observe my writing problems.
In the end of the course, I was amazed with the difference and the result. Now I feel more confident; writing a piece of standard essay has become much easier than last year.
If students want to improve their writing skill but don’t know how to do, I’d suggest they give themselves a year of study in Writing 12.This course helps the students upgrade their writing knowledge as well as reducing difficulties in writing.
For me, Writing 12 was the most unforgettable class. I learned how to enjoy writing from the teacher and my classmates through their wonderful writings and we studied hard and improved together.
(232 words)
Thanks to everyone for your detailed comments. I'm taking a bit of a break from the Buzz at the moment, but will publish a little bit in the months to come.
You are, of course, welcome to submit anything you're working on! For now, I'll leave all of you as members of the blog (honourary status) until the new term. At that time, we can discuss a role for "alumni" as advisors, perhaps.
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