The Writing Class I’d Like to Teach
So, last year, I decided to throw more work at my students...I added something I call “craft journals.” Each week, in addition to reading their peers’ work, my students choose from a bank of 100+ stories, each of which offers specific craft lessons...They then write about their chosen story in a “craft journal.” They reverse-outline each piece to t... See more
Celine Nguyen • How to Begin
My middle school had a system of A, B, and C days. While some core classes were daily, electives cycled in and out. What would that system look like for a writer?
The other reason why repeating the 1/3/1 structure works so well is because it forces you, the writer, to be conscious and clear about what you’re trying to accomplish in each section. Within the first five sentences of the piece, what are you trying to say? What’s the one singular point you’re trying to drive home? What’s this story really about?
... See moreNicolas Cole • The Art and Business of Online Writing: How to Beat the Game of Capturing and Keeping Attention
1/3/1 The 1/3/1 structure is the best place to start. In 1/3/1, you have one strong opening sentence, three description sentences, and then one conclusion sentence. Visually, this is a powerful way to tell the reader you aren’t going to make them suffer through big blocks of text, and that you have their best interests in mind.