telts writing workshop presentation

Belgrade Public Reading

Part 1: Creating the Workshop

Writing Workshop Project

Primary goal: To improve students’ skills in creative writing

Secondary goal: To improve students’ speaking and organizational skills

End Result: To produce a published anthology of student writing and hold a public reading.

Writing Workshop Profile

Size: Between 10-15 participants per workshop

Language ability: All participants should be of a similar level

Meeting Times: Workshop should meet once or twice a week.

Beginners Workshop• First several workshops focus on teaching and

practice using core literary concepts like:– Plot – Setting– Description– Characterization– Dialog– Conflict– Resolution

Beginners Workshop

• Give writers short, specific writing assignments like:– Flash fiction– Poems– Poetography– Personal narrative assignments

Advanced Writers Workshop• Students sign up to workshop their writing on

a particular day.

• Students submit their short story or poems a week in advance for others to critique

• Depending on time limits each student who submitted that week should get approximately 30-40 minutes for feedback from the group and teacher

The Art of Feedback• Be sensitive

• Be specific

• Be Positive

• Be critical

• Give your impression

Giving Feedback: Plot• Does it have a strong storyline?

• Is there too much or too little drama?

• Should the plot be developed with more complexity and depth?

• Is the plot too complicated and would benefit from being streamlined?

Giving Feedback: Pacing• Does the story feel rushed?

• Does it feel too slow?

• Is the pacing inconsistent?

• Do the actions progress and create drama in the most effective way?

Giving Feedback: Characters

• Are these characters fully realized three-dimensional people?

• Do we know too much or two little about them?

• Do we care about them? Why/why not?

• Do they develop sufficiently from the beginning to the end?

Giving Feedback: Literary Mechanics• Themes and Imagery: Should some

words/images be highlighted more? Are some words/images overused?

• Style: Is the writer’s voice consistent?

• Length: Would the story/poem benefit from being expanded or condensed?

Giving Feedback: Literary Mechanics• Mood: Is the intended mood achieved?

• Tone: Does the writer’s style effectively compliment the plot/setting/mood?

• Point-of-view: Is the story told from the most effective point of view either 1st/3rd person or from the most effective character?

Giving Feedback: General Procedure

1. Plot2. Pacing

3. Characters

4. Literary Mechanics

Part 2: Producing the Product

Form an Editing CommitteeWorkshop members take on certain roles with real duties and responsibilities including:

– Proofreader/editor (prepares final text for pub.)

– Graphic designer (covers, photos, etc.)

– Format designer (formats the text in book form)

– Publication editor (coordinates print and electronic publication)

Get it Out There

• Work with local printers to produce copies for workshop members, family, and friends.

• Upload and electronic copy to smashwords.com, amazon.com, nookpress.com, etc.

Part 3: Going Public

Organize a Public ReadingFind a venue partner to host a public reading. This could be at a

– Local school or university

– American corner

– Library

– Bookstore

– Café or restaurant

Plan the EventWorkshop members take on certain roles with real duties and responsibilities including:

Event coordinators: • locate the venue

• arrange food/beverages

• plan the reading schedule

• print participation certificates

Publicize the EventMedia coordinators:• Prepare press releases

• Contact local print, TV, and online media to cover the event

• Contact embassies/consulates for intercultural exchanges

• Contact local English teachers, professors, English language fellows, English teacher assistants, etc.

• Hang posters/fliers in key locations (schools, libraries, culture centers, literary cafes, etc.)

Hold the EventProposed Public Reading Model

1. Opening Speakers:– Teachers/professors/cultural liaisons give opening comments– Project coordinator gives comments

2. Readings– Writers read poems or selected passages of their works

3. Conclusion– Project coordinator awards certificates – Closing comments – Reception with refreshments and mingling with the writers

Opening Speaker: Drew Giblin (cultural affairs officer to Serbia)

Opening Speaker: Prof. Ivana Trbojevic(vice chair of Eng. dept., Uni. Belgrade)

Writers Reading Selected Passages

Reception

Creative Writing & Breaking BarriersSerbian-Kosovar Artistic/Cultural Exchange

Pristina, Kosovo (2015)

Short Writing Activity

Character Description

1. Imagine the villain of a story and the crime or bad thing they have committed.

2. Briefly describe that villain.

Short Writing Activity

3. Rewrite your character description in 1 sentence using as few words as possible.

telts writing workshop presentation

Education