1. Jackie Hamlett
Volunteer Tutor, Lake County Adult Learning Connection
Waukegan Public Library
ABE Instructor, College of Lake County
April 21, 2012
So Afraid to Write
2. So Afraid to Write
•blank page
•spelling
•no ideas
•grammar
•sentences
•just can’t do it
•mind goes blank
10. So Afraid to Write
It’s only
a blank page
until you write
the first word.
11. So Afraid to Write
You are writing to share
what you know in the way
you know it.
Please remember…
When you are…
12. So Afraid to Write
Please remember…
When you are…
The way you would say it
really is good enough.
13. Take the fear out of writing
by using things that give you
a head start.
Graphic organizers
Sentence starters
Poetry starters
Fill in the blank forms
20. Sentence Starters
•I wish
•The funniest thing I have done is
•My favorite place to go is
•I love summer because
•My favorite car is
•My most embarrassing moment was
• I’ll never forget when
25. Bio Poem
A
Who reads funny books, true stories, and
books about history
Who likes to give myself a chance to go to
school
Who loves to see the health and happiness of
my family
26. Bio Poem
A
Who wishes that my children’s dreams
come true
Who admires my husband and my children
Who needs peace, love, and forgiveness
Who wants to have my GED and focus on
my career as an X-Ray technician
27. List Poem
Sunny weather, gorgeous sky
Different kinds of flowers
Green, purple, yellow, pink, orange
Green grass, budding trees
Butterfiles flying, flowers growing
This is spring!
33. DREAM Acrostic
1. Look at the pictures on the
next slide.
2. Which words do you think
of?
34. DREAM Acrostic
1. Write some of these words onto the
Post-it notes and put them on the
board.
2. Choose a picture. Then read the
Poetry Post-its and use these to
help you to write a poem of your
own called ‘Dream’.
39. I Am Poem
I am a wonderful father!
I wonder when I will find the perfect wife!
I hear my son’s voice in a crowd of kids.
I see a good future awaiting my son and I
I want the best for my son.
I am the best I can be!
40. I Am Poem
I pretend not to love
I feel like my son is my world
I worry about his happiness
I cry when he is away
I am the best I can be!
42. Journal Writing `
The easiest way to get rid of the fear of writing
is to just write.
Find a favorite, comfortable, and quiet space
at home.
You can use a spiral notebook. They go on
sale in August for about $.05.
43. Journal Writing
Set aside a consistent time to write each
day or a few times a week.
If you just decide to write whenever, most
likely you will not stick with it.
44. Journal Writing
If you write on the same days and times
journal writing will become a habit.
45. Journal Writing
Put your pencil to the page and just start
writing.
Don’t think about spelling or grammar.
46. Journal Writing
Don’t let not knowing how to spell a word
stop you from using it. Use it anyway!
47. Journal Writing
You are putting your thoughts, memories,
and feelings down on paper.
These are the important things.
48. Journal Writing
Write about anything that comes to mind.
If you hit a wall, write about your day, your
family, something that made you laugh,
something that made you angry, a happy
memory, a holiday, music you enjoy, or a
favorite trip you have taken.
49. Benefits of Journal Writing
Learn more about ourselves
Release stress
Share information that is too hard to talk
about
Think about happy memories
Figure out future plans
Improve writing skills
Can you think of anything else?
50. Benefits of Journal Writing
Problem Solving
Writing in a journal helps to solve problems.
Writing down and imagining your way
through a problem by thinking about life
experiences can be very rewarding.
The key is to provide enough time to think,
and for new ideas to come forward.
51. Benefits of Journal Writing
Stress Reduction and Health Benefits.
There is a lot of proof that journaling can
help release pent-up emotions, help let out
anger or frustration, and reduce stress in
today’s busy work world and lifestyle.
52. So Afraid to Write
You are writing to share
what you know in the way
you know it.
Please remember…
When you are…
53. So Afraid to Write
The way you would say it
really is good enough.
Please remember…
When you are…
