Inspiring students to Pre-Write

I found Lindemann's chapter on pre-writing immensely helpful. Sometimes it is extremely difficult to get students to pre-write. Many of them want to wait until the last minute, type something up, and submit it for the sake of turning something in. Many of them do not even read what they have written. I have to admit, I usually create one draft, and then edit it when I am done. However, I think I have completed the writing process so many times, at this stage in my education and career, editing has become innate. I think if I can get students to see the value in pre-writing, they will be more likely to try it. I have decided next semester to make pre-writing a grade in the course as the students workshop their essays.

Journal writing is one way students can get ideas for their essays. I like Lindemann's list of questions on page 116/117 because they give the students' a guided way to write that will inspire them as opposed to just saying "write whatever you want." I plan on using the heuristics approach when I teach the students to write a research paper. They might reconsider a topic when they plug their choice into the questions and statements.

Even though we are only two weeks into the semester, I feel the Lindemann readings have already inspired confidence in my ability to teach composition. This would be a helpful course to take in the credential program because it is so practical. We had very little training in the Education program on how to teach students to write, and I feel that I have done a diservice to my previous students.