Wordsmith Series – Page 2

January 27 2021

How to Interview

jbcheaney Tips, writing interviews, Wordsmith Series, writing how-tos, writing tips

If you’re a sports fan, you’ve probably seen countless on-the-spot interviews with athletes and coaches. Can you remember a single one? I’m guessing not, because the questions and answers almost never vary: What went wrong? (We didn’t bring our best game.) What went right? (We worked together as a team.) How do you feel? (The same way you would. Duh.)

Sometimes an interviewer tries, but just can’t make headway. TIME Magazine posted an interview with Joan Didion, a highly-respected essay writer dating from the sixties. Ms. Didion is now 86 and has been confined to her New York apartment since March, so she might not be at her sharpest. Or she might have just been bored. Whatever the reason, it’s the only interview I ever read where almost all the questions were longer than the answers.

There may not be much you can do with an unresponsive subject. But you may well have opportunities to interview: research for a paper, or a career opportunity, or a newsletter, or a book of family stories. Family stories, by the way, is a great opportunity for kids to gather information in a friendly setting and write it down. For any age, and any subject, here are some worthwhile tips:

Do your research! Gather enough information about your subject or your subject’s specialty to ask specific questions. Also intelligent ones.
Write more questions than you will actually use. If one line of questioning doesn’t seem to interest your subject, try another.
Make your questions as specific as possible. Instead of “How do you do your job?” go for something like, “What’s the most rewarding (or difficult) part of your job?” Instead of “Tell me about your book,” try, “If readers only remember one thing from your book, what should it be?”
Steer clear of “How do you feel about—” questions. The answer will most likely be what anyone would feel in a similar situation (Q. How do you feel about going to the Super Bowl for the second time? A. Great! Fabulous! A dream come true!). Or, your subject may feel the need to dissemble, or prevaricate. (Q. How did it feel when your closest rival won that award? A. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer person.)
Stick to the script. Except when you shouldn’t. Be considerate of your subject’s time; don’t take any more of it than necessary (unless it’s your grandma). On the other hand, if a question gets your subject excited and talkative, it’s okay to follow the rabbit trail for a bit. But be sure to allow time for a wrap-up question.
Be involved. Of course you’re listening and making notes, but try to listen on a deeper level. Is your subject animated or merely polite? Did he just glance at his watch? Is she leaning forward to stress a particular point? Body language and facial expressions can help you respond appropriately, and either wrap it up after you have all the information or stay just a little longer to chat.
Be sure to thank your subject. If you’re writing up the interview, offer to send the final copy or a link to the website (and do it!). If your subject is a professional who generously made time for you, a hand-written note of thanks would not be amiss.

November 24 2020

Ten Ways to Motivate Reluctant Writers, Part Two

jbcheaney teaching, Tips, writing reluctant writers, teaching writing, Wordsmith, Wordsmith Series

Motivation is the bane of the writing teacher.

Good writing takes practice to learn, and there’s the rub. Kids who don’t like it are only going to practice under great duress, and then only as little as possible with the minimum they can get away with. But sometimes–I’ve seen it happen–an assignment or project will engage their imagination enough to give it some honest effort. All their assignments can’t be fun, but sparking up the usual grind with an imaginative exercise or two can help the medicine go down.

So, last week I started with a list of five potential motivators, but as often happens, ideas beget other ideas. So if the first five lit no fires, consider these:

Round Robin Stories. This is definitely a group activity, but could be fun for a family if there are enough willing participants (including parents!). Each participant starts with a story prompt, a setting, or an object (or all three). After writing the first paragraph of the story, each participant passes their paper to the next writer, who continues the story with the second paragraph, then passes it on for the third paragraph, and so on. This can be played in a random manner with no guidelines, but could be more fun (and easier on those of us with more pedestrian imaginations) if some direction was included. For example–
- First paragraph: Place and time, up to three characters (they don’t have to be people).
- Second paragraph: Something happens! The characters have a problem.
- Third paragraph: They try to solve the problem; doesn’t work.
- Fourth paragraph: They try another solution; doesn’t work.
- Fifth paragraph: Everybody is unhappy.
- Sixth paragraph: The last solution works and everybody is happy again—or not.
- This could take place over a few days; no need to finish in one sitting.

At the end, of course, read them out loud. Everybody will want to know what the next person did with their particular contribution.

Imaginary Interviews. “Interview” your favorite sports hero, historical character, or fictional character. Write a list of questions about topics you’d really like to know, then imagine how the subject would answer.
POV Switch. Write 2-3 entries in the diary of a family member. Imagine an actual recent event and write it as though someone besides you—sibling, parent, possibly friend—were recording it in a their personal diary. (Talk about walking a mile in someone else’s shoes!)
Dream Journal. You know how dreams start disappearing almost as soon as we wake up? Try keeping a notebook handy to write as much as you remember of your most vivid dreams. (Share them only if you want to!)
Game on! Describe your favorite video game as if you were in it as a player. Keep a tight focus and describe only one sequence or one strategic play.

If none of these appeal to you or your students, they may provide a springboard to something else. Ideas beget other ideas, so keep thinking, and don’t be afraid to brainstorm occasionally with the kids.

November 17 2020

Ten Ways to Motivate Reluctant Writers (Part One)

jbcheaney teaching, Tips, writing reluctant writers, Wordsmith Series

If you have more than one student or more than one child in the household, you are familiar with motivation—or the lack of it. Some kids are self-starters and perfectionists who can drive you crazy. Others are barely motivated enough to crawl out of bed in the morning and drive you crazy in a different way.

And when it comes to that, there are different kinds of motivation—like that between a kid who balks at reading comprehension but can read every clue and meet every logistical challenge of Madden NFL.

Reluctant writers may be in a class by themselves and, to be perfectly honest, some kids always hated to write and always will. But unlike reluctant geometers or science experimenters, they still have to learn to write, and write well enough to be understood when written communication is necessary. These Ten Ways to Motivate won’t motivate permanently I’m afraid, but they may provide an avenue interesting enough to pursue to the end, and get a little writing practice in while they’re at it.

Family Newsletter. Not gonna lie—a monthly newsletter requires some commitment on the part of the editor (usually mom) to assign, compile and format the material. Back in 1984 we started with a handwritten two-page paper with a hand-drawn masthead. Eventually we moved to a two-column word-processor format printed on a dot-matrix printer (does anybody even remember those?). For many a month, when the printing date came in view, I inwardly groaned, “Is it that time again?” But, unlike some of my other homeschool ambitions, I kept up with this one for almost every month of the school year, right through to 1996. I won’t say it was always motivating to the kids, but I remember one time telling my son to revise a report that was going into the school paper. He sighed and said, “Well, okay. If it’s for the paper . . .” The circulation wasn’t wide—mostly grandmas—but the grandmas appreciated our monthly updates, and the grownup kids appreciate having a complete collection of their homeschool years.
Fan Letter. Has she read a book she just loves? Does he have a football or soccer idol? Encourage them to write a letter of appreciation, with certain guidelines. “You’re the greatest!” is not enough; the letter should include a little information about themselves specifics about what what’s so great about the recipient. (Wordsmith Craftsman, p. 16-17, provides guidelines and examples of fan letters anyone would love to receive.)
Dreaming on Paper. Assign a brief essay, 2-6 paragraphs depending on grade level, describing My Dream House, Dream Career, Dream Place to Live, or Dream Vacation. Provide guidelines about what sort of specifics they should include. And don’t call it an essay.
Get a pen pal. True, this won’t motivate everybody, and pen pals are not created equal in terms of frequency and interest, but a student who’s interested in other places and people may find this attractive. Google “International Pen Pals” for more information. Closer to home, a caring student may find it rewarding to exchange letters with quarantined seniors or nursing home residents; search “Pen Pals for Seniors.”
Letter to the Editor. If there’s an issue your student is concerned about, encourage a letter on the subject. Even though print newspapers have declined in influence and size, they all have an opinion section and most editors love to get letters from engaged young citizens. Here’s simple 3-paragraph format: 1) introduction with first name, age, and why you’re interested in this topic; 2) a clear statement of the problem; 3) suggested solution (even if it’s only to raise awareness). Chances are much better than average the letter will be printed, and won’t that be a thrill!

That’s only five, not ten. But it’s enough for one post. Watch for the remaining five next week!