More Generative Writing Exercises
A while ago, I published a list of generative writing exercises. They seem to be quite popular and so I submit to you, even more generative writing exercises.
In particular, I am fond of the postcard exercise.
This set of activities was designed by the University of Massachusetts Amherst, to be used with lesson plans, but they’re all so simple and useful that I think anyone would be able to use them to…
work on generating material they might work with in the essay and/or producing many short pieces of writing that explore multiple topics to help them choose the eventual focus of their essay. We refer to this as generative writing to reflect the thought process involved: a time where the writer generates ideas, considers multiple options for topics, invents material that might be useful for the later essay, and rethinks positions and perspectives”” reinventing their own take on the issue.
Here’s the list.
Adding to a Conversation – Assignment
Adding to a Conversation – Sample Proposal
All the World Is a Text
Analyzing Texts Through a Cultural Lens
Asking Questions to Further a Conversation
Audience Textual Analysis
Autobiographical Collage Essay
Blowing Things Into Proportion – Assignment
Blowing Things Into Proportion – Generative Writing Activities
Blowing Things Into Proportion – Note Card Exercise
Blowing Things Into Proportion – Other Activities
Calendar and Music Activity
Cinderella Story
Civic Writing
Class Discussion Suggestions
Class Play
Computers and Practice: Using What We Have
Constructing a Reading
Contexts That Make Me – Assignment
Contexts That Make Me – Revision Exercise
Contexts That Make Me – Famous Pairs Activity
Contexts That Make Me – Generative Writing Activities
Critical Cartooning
Critiquing Film
Descriptive Writing with Found.Com
Diversifying Literacy Spark Exercise
Dream Interpretation
Exploratory Thoughts For Adding To a Conversation
Exploring a Sample Conversation
Favorite Meal Exercise
First Class Writing Exercise
Fun With Tabloids
Generative Writing Activities – Blowing Things Into Proportion
Generative Writing Activities – Contexts That Make Me
Generative Writing Activities – My Self In Words
Generative Writing Activities – Self As Writer
Generative Writing Activities – Self In Contradiction
Guidelines for Unit 4 Assignment
How to be a Poet in One Easy Lesson
Improv as Idea Wrestling
Incorporating a Text Into Your Essay
Initial Movements I Am
Inquiring Into Self – Show and Tell
Interacting With Texts – Sample Assignment Sheet
Interview Exercise
Journal Prompt Dice Game
Journal with a Mission
Making a Hypertext (Without a Computer!)
Music Appreciation – English 112 Bandstand
My Self In Words – Assignment
My Self In Words – Generative Writing Activities
Places Exercise
Possible Ways of Responding to a Text
Postcard Exercise
Recognizing Different Audiences
Recommended Readings: Other Words (PDF)
Reflections on Class Management
Research Update and Annotated Bibliography
Rhetorical Prospectus
Rock Band Exercise
Self As Writer – Questionnaire
Self In Contradiction – Generative Writing Activities
Self In Contradiction – Sample Assignment Sheet
Self Reflection About the Writing Process
Short Long Short
Show and Tell
Some Text Wrestling Ideas – Magazine Creation
Sorting Through This Mess
Students’ Academic Discourse
Style and Substance
Take Out Your Pencils
Telephone Game – English 112 Style
Traits of a Documented Essay
Trash Exercise
Trying On Style Using Poe,Woolf, and Hemmingway
Ways to Weave the Journal Into 112
What is a Text?
What is in My Bag?
Working the Senses
Writer’s Notebook
Writer’s Toolbox
Write to the Beat
Writing Experiences and Reflections
Writing Habits
Writing Intros
Writing the Visual Image
Do you know of any more generative writing exercises? Let’s hear about them, in the comments!
Photo by William Warby.