Loosen up

This book is why I love writing. Unjournaling is a friendly reminder that writing is fun and that anyone can do it. A student does not have to be a strong writer to creatively respond to the majority of these prompts, but they do have to think outside the box. Using intriguing prompts would be a helpful approach to provide writers’ with more confidence and to serve as a distraction to major stressors in life. Also, this would be a pleasant reminder to high school students that writing can be silly, especially after they write a difficult research paper. For me, this is a great way to unwind after reading Williams, and I have a feeling it was placed intentionally after a more challenging selection.

According to Diprince and Thurston, “Writing can be an intimidating process for many people, no matter what their age” (5). Writing can definitely be daunting for individuals of all ages and all ability levels. Even if a student is a remarkable writer, that does not mean he or she is aware of the fact. I truly believe most students simply lack confidence when it comes to their writing, which is why Unjournaling is a necessary tool to help writers loosen up.

As a future teacher, I will definitely use this book. I think some of these prompts can segue into a lesson. For example #84 would be an excellent introduction into similes, metaphors, and other types of figurative language. I want to try this activity myself, so I’m sure my students would enjoy it, as well. Who wouldn’t want to compare a person to food? The whole idea simply makes me laugh. Also, #120 would be an effective way to begin to teach writers how to show, rather than tell. It is much more difficult to show that a rooms smells, than it is to say that a room smells bad. This would even be a creative way to start a poetry unit. Clearly, the prompts in this book would help liven up classrooms and stimulate creativity.

This book really gets me excited to teach writing! I would actually write my own prompt while the students are writing theirs. I especially want to try prompt #136. Writing a letter to an animal would be so cool! Plus, if the teacher is having fun, then nine out of ten times the students are having positive experience. Overall, I think Unjournaling is a phenomenal resource, and I’m truly eager to use it with my students.