This phrase from Tom Romano about intellect and compassion rings so true for writing. You can teach students all of the mechanics and rules of writing, but if they can't write from their heart--from their pure creativity--then the writing will fall flat. Offering different genres and authentic purposes gives young writers the opportunity to discover and write what is in their hearts.
What Tom says about writers not truly knowing where they are going until the words take them there is another truth. I don't know how many times I thought I was writing a paper about one thing and by the time I was done it was about another. The words just took me there. In fact, when I took the C-Base test, I ended up in tears during the writing section because halfway through I realized that the words were taking me to the opposite side of the argument than I had started on. I feared I wouldn't have time to complete the essay and do it well enough to pass the test. Words can betray us like that, expose us to what we really think and feel. Imagine if students never experience this. If they never have the words take them somewhere new, exploring and learning as they go. What a tragedy that would be.
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