Utilizing Imitation to Jumpstart Creation in Writing

Abstract

One of the things that I find difficult to effectively teach is composition. Writing has always come naturally to me, so breaking down the hows and whys of the process to students doesn’t. I found myself getting frustrated while teaching students composition because I wasn’t sure how to show them what I wanted them to do without doing it for them. One thing I’ve realized is this: writing is hard. It’s not something that always comes naturally, and it tends to require a certain struggle. I wanted to encourage my students to be okay with this struggle and to enjoy it; to enjoy the feeling of finally getting the “just right†words in the perfect order to expertly convey their thoughts and ideas. That is where the joy of writing comes from, and I wanted that experience for my students