To create a classroom of brilliant writers, two things must happen:
✏️ Each student must know how to sustain a clear line of reasoning
✏️ Each student must have mastery of the basics, which moves them forward in their ability to wield voice, rhythm, and flow
As far as the first hurdle goes, I have a hack that absolutely guarantees a clear logical sequence in any essay, no matter the expository mode.
I call it the Yarn Test.
To demonstrate how the Yarn Test works, I made two writing workshop videos:
One for rhetorical analysis
Another for literary analysis with a special focus on poetry.
For the rhetorical analysis video, I highlight the fantastic commencement speech by Elizabeth Bonker - the 2022 valedictorian of Rollins College who has non-speaking autism.
For poetry analysis, I demonstrate the concept with the poetry of Tupac Shakur, Jimmy Santiago Bacca, and Martin Espada.
Note how the Yarn Test allows students to capture their brilliant thinking on paper with clarity, purpose, and sheer deliberation.
It's ingenious and works every single time.
This is the beauty of my templates - they totally demystify the writing process for students and level the proverbial playing field for all.
The Yarn Test is just one of many tricks I have up my sleeve to ensure that students are establishing clear lines of reasoning in all of their expository writing.
On December 10th at 11 a.m. EST live in Zoom, the National Writing Project and I will be teaming up to offer my Teaching Line of Reasoning 2-Hour Intensive.
During our time together, I will share a multitude of techniques and strategies that will completely help your students to grow and mature as writers.
That's the kicker ... good writing = good thinking
But how do we as ELA teachers teach our students to think on paper?
It's actually pretty easy.
We will explore everything from my gamification strategies, incorporation of children's stories, even my edible templates and graphic organizer strategies.
Replays will be made available and NWP will be awarding PD completion badges.
Happy teaching and happy writing!
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