A Handout for Students: Submitted by Lynette Padilla

WRITING NOTEBOOK

Throughout the course of the semester, you will be asked to keep a notebook.  I suggest buying a notebook with 100 pages and pockets if possible.  The following is a list of what you will include in your notebook:

-responses/reactions/questions to readings

-pre-writing ideas and strategies/brainstorming (outlining, clustering, listing, etc.)

-observations of yourself as a reader, writer, thinker

-excerpts from other sources

-class notes, class exercises

-experiments with voice, tone, point-of-view, word choice/placement

-record of interviews

-response to free-writing topics

-bits of inspiration:  quotes, photos, poems, lyrics, etc.

-polylogue journal on readings or student writing

**Please be thoughtful about what you put in your notebook.  Remember, this is YOUR place/space to express yourself and I want you  to take advantage of the freedom.  I will collect your notebooks two times formally and may randomly collect at other times – so stay on-schedule and don’t put off your writing.  The point is to have a daily space and time to practice your writing;  it won’t do much good if you put it off to the last minute and do a marathon writing session!  Also, I will not be sharing or showing your notebooks to anyone!  They will be safe and confidential with me.  If there are pieces you would not like me to read, simply fold that particular paper and staple it.

**Please date every entry!

 

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