‘Write What You Know’…and Add Imagination
Join us as we take this commonly given piece of advice to budding writers and discover how you can use your own everyday experiences and knowledge as a powerful springboard to creative writing.
Tracy Lambert
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(235)
Star Educator
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hoursAssessment
Informal assessment during classClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 7
Budding and young writers are often told to ‘write what you know' but what does this actually mean? Does it mean that I can’t write about things that I haven’t done? How does this apply to genres such as sci-fi and fantasy? How can I possibly write what I know there? How can I write what I know if I’m not an adult yet and don’t have lots of life experience? In this one time class, we consider what this familiar phrase actually means in terms of writing and how to use our experiences and knowledge- no matter how ‘ordinary’ to enhance our creative writing. Students will explore: Using everyday experiences in building a believable world (even if in an invented place/ different time). Using our observations to inspire ideas. Shared experiences and emotions in relating to the reader. Using our senses. Perception and perspective- how changing things up can help our writing. Collecting and selecting – The usefulness of a notebook (whether physical or digital). Being mindful of what we use- how far should we use details of our real lives in our writing? How to use our material sensitively and safely.
Learning Goals
Students will learn:
How to develop observation skills and use them in writing.
Developing a simple system of note-taking and retrieving ideas.
How to use their own experiences and knowledge to enhance creative writing
How to be sensitive in what they write about and to keep personal details safe.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Students will be considering what emotions feel like and will be asked to think of something that made them feel nervous/ fearful/ excited/ happy, etc and write a few sentences on those feelings. Please be aware if your learner is likely to be upset by this activity.
Students will be reminded that using their own experience doesn’t grant them the right to disregard others’ rights to privacy.
Students will also look at using their own experiences in a way that doesn’t give out personal information both on and offline (as some students may decide to share their writing online either now or in the near future).
Supply List
A notebook or paper and something to write with, or device to use for writing. A small whiteboard may be handy but by no means necessary.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined September, 2020
4.9
235reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
Writing is my passion and as well as majoring in English at university, along with Theatre Arts, I've almost 20 years of experience in teaching English in primary schools. Over those years I have worked regularly with groups of children specifically on English writing skills.
I have taught observational skills many times and using shared experiences in writing.
I have also received regular ongoing training and been part of the school team delivering online safety awareness and measures to children and also in the youth groups (7 - 19-year-olds) I lead.
Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$13
per classMeets once
55 min
Completed by 4 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-13
1-6 learners per class
