HCHY List: Pew Research on "Writing for Pleasure."

[Pam Parrish]

As a lifelong writer - for fun, self-expression & for monetary profit -
I can say from experience that writing for pleasure is enormously
helpful, especially as a youth when one can feel the world isn't
listening. I like what you say, Mel, about it being a positive way to
get attention. And it's an excellent way to learn how to organize
thoughts and important points. I still do a lot of editing and working
with other people on their writing, and I notice the hardest part often
is getting started and organizing what they want to say. I take them
through a few basic questions: Who's your audience, what message(s) or
impressions do you want them to take away, and then basic logistical
things like how long it needs to be. That's different, of course, than
just picking up a pen (or computer keyboard) and pouring your heart out!
But I find that because they haven't done much rigorous writing, many
people can't even organize their thoughts in a coherent way. I also
think there is something lost in the cathartic effect when you type, vs.
when you write. ... just a few of my thoughts about the importance/value
of writing. - Pam Parrish, Tucson 

 

________________________________

From: hchylist-bounces at lists.search-institute.org
[mailto:hchylist-bounces at lists.search-institute.org] On Behalf Of Mel
Tremper
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2008 5:19 PM
To: Pam Parrish
Cc: Healthy Communities Healthy Youth
Subject: RE: HCHY List: Pew Research on "Writing for Pleasure." 

 

Writing can be hard work, but it can give pleasure.  I think the art of
writing needs to be taught (or a motivated person may learn it by really
consciously applying themselves).  I also think that to write well, you
need to think well-or at least think clearly about how someone else will
perceive what you are writing.  

My wife uses computers and the lure they hold for kids to teach writing
(one of the sidelines she infuses into her role as media specialist).
With computers the kids are more involved at "being on the computer"
than in seeing the hard work of drafting and re-drafting a product until
it is as polished as the child can make it.  Kids learn they can express
things and get their POV across to others, and they like that.  (not all
of them, some find it just another school task).  

Some may see this as a not so good reason to write, but it a motivator
nevertheless.  Kids learn they can get attention through their writing.
It is another avenue, and a healthier one than some other ways they
could try to get noticed.  

I may be biased, but when she started this project in this school the
6th graders generally wrote things that were not overly inspired.  Now
the 6th graders who have had 3-4 years of experience learning how to
write are doing much better jobs.  

 

-----Original Message-----
From: hchylist-bounces at lists.search-institute.org
[mailto:hchylist-bounces at lists.search-institute.org] On Behalf Of Paul
Olson
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2008 10:00 AM
To: Mel Tremper
Cc: Healthy Communities Healthy Youth
Subject: HCHY List: Pew Research on "Writing for Pleasure." 

 

I read this Pew Research article on teens and writing:
http://pewresearch.org/pubs/808/writing-technology-and-teens 

 

It made me think about the fact that while the PSL:A&B asks about
"READING for pleasure," it doesn't ask anything about "WRITING for
pleasure."  

 

I wonder what the implications for youth development are.  

 

Comments?

 

--Paul Olson, LBSW

906-228-8919, ext. 29

www.glcyd.org

 

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