Professional Ponderings

If only I knew that it was O.K. to fail on a first draft. If only I knew that it was OK to make errors and that it was more important to get the words out on the page. If I knew these things I may not have this apprehension before a paper is due, that the first draft is the same as the final draft and that it must be perfect. But, alas, it is a long painful process to suffocate my inner perfectionist.

Now on to voice. I think that one great way to get students to develop a voice is to have them write a blog. Just like we each are writing a blog and developing our own voice, students can do the same. Blogging is a low-pressure environment. It does not have the feel of a paper. It instead has the freedom of a conversation. Students could draft their writing on their blogs, free write, sketch ideas. From there they could write another draft with their first one done under very little pressure therefore hopefully having true voice and great ideas.