The Modern Library Writer's Workshop-Ch 1

✔ I hate to admit, but I am not found of this book. I am always looking for useful tools to help teach students. I feel that the title of this book is deceiving because there is not really any focus on a writing workshop. I feel a majority of the book is of Stephen Koch providing statistics of writing with references every other line.

✔ With that said, Stephen provides some beneficial information throughout the text. In chapter one I specifically liked the quote, "Begin with whatever gives you the impetus to begin: an image, a fantasy, a situation, a memory, a motion, a set of people__ anything at all that arouses your imagination" (Koch 3). I thought this quote was important because it enforces that writing can come from whatever gives motivation. This quote reminds me of Nancy Atwell's territories. Writers need to find territories that they want to write about. Territories help writers have a beginning point. Koch also discusses that writers need to write it now. He states that writers tend to say they don't know their story, but if you put off writing, you won't ever have a story. I think this is an important philosophy because students struggle with what to write about, but if students don't ever write, then they won't ever have a story to tell. By starting with an idea, according to Koch, the idea will lead to questions then to a developed piece of writing.

✔ One element of this chapter I disagree with is Koch's philosophy of writing as you know is misleading. He does not believe in writing what you know. I disagree because students may be able to write detailed stories on what they know. I believe a teacher should assign certain writing assignments, but some times the teacher needs to allow students to write about what they know. Doesn't this defeat the purpose of territories? I agree that we should turn the unknown into the known, but also I believe students can focus on the known. The same with reading. Teachers introduce books to students that don't interest them because students can't relate. When teachers allow students to chose what they want to read, then students seem to enjoying reading more. Further in this paragraph Koch says if you don't know what to write about start with childhood. I found this condescending to what he stated earlier in the paragraph. Childhood is familiar with most people. Although Koch says to develop the story of childhood, writers are still starting with the basis of childhood, which is part of the "known."

✔ I like the notebook idea. The notebooks help prepare writers for the entire writing process, before, after, and during. I like the way Koch phrased his opinion. Writers are "preparing all the time." As a teacher, I think I am going to borrow the idea from Koch of folders. He describes using a folder for each paper topic. The folder will include evidence, rough drafts, brainstorming, etc. Students will be able to reflect upon their writing and have a writing portfolio for that particular writing piece.

✔ Finally, Koch describes having rules for rough drafts. I couldn't disagree more. Students need structure, yes, but a rough draft is exactly what it says. A rough draft is the process for students to learn. Rough drafts help writers grow and continue improving writing. If writers have rules when beginning a piece, then writers will not be able to learn from their mistakes, and writers will be turned off from writing all together. Overall, I was not impressed with this book. Koch provides many examples from prominent writers including quotes from these writers; however, I feel a lot of the content in this book is hard to apply towards high school students. Maybe I am just missing something in this book ☹