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

[Leona J. Manogg]

In about the 6th grade I remember learning to organize my thoughts in the f=
ormat of a written "outline" .... and that has stayed with me and I find us=
eful to this day for writing purposes in re my business/volunteer interests=
.  Is this still being taught - as my grands do not even know the term...? =
Lee
  ----- Original Message ----- =

  From: Pam Parrish =

  To: lmanogg at alink.com =

  Cc: Healthy Communities Healthy Youth =

  Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 11:06 AM
  Subject: RE: HCHY List: Pew Research on "Writing for Pleasure." =



  As a lifelong writer - for fun, self-expression & for monetary profit - I=
 can say from experience that writing for pleasure is enormously helpful, e=
specially as a youth when one can feel the world isn't listening. I like wh=
at you say, Mel, about it being a positive way to get attention. And it's a=
n excellent way to learn how to organize thoughts and important points. I s=
till do a lot of editing and working with other people on their writing, an=
d I notice the hardest part often is getting started and organizing what th=
ey want to say. I take them through a few basic questions: Who's your audie=
nce, 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. wh=
en you write. . just a few of my thoughts about the importance/value of wri=
ting. - Pam Parrish, Tucson =


   =



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  From: hchylist-bounces at lists.search-institute.org [mailto:hchylist-bounce=
s 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 w=
riting needs to be taught (or a motivated person may learn it by really con=
sciously applying themselves).  I also think that to write well, you need t=
o 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 c=
omputers the kids are more involved at "being on the computer" than in seei=
ng the hard work of drafting and re-drafting a product until it is as polis=
hed as the child can make it.  Kids learn they can express things and get t=
heir 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 ne=
vertheless.  Kids learn they can get attention through their writing.  It i=
s another avenue, and a healthier one than some other ways they could try t=
o 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 doi=
ng much better jobs.  =


   =


  -----Original Message-----
  From: hchylist-bounces at lists.search-institute.org [mailto:hchylist-bounce=
s 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 "READIN=
G 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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