Writing Center Handouts

1. Invent an audience for the paper (your mother, sister, friend). Work out a key theme or idea for the paper and explain (important word!) the idea to yourself in a letter starting "Dear Warren... "

2. Go into an empty classroom and write bits and pieces of writing all over the blackboard; sit back and look at it; begin to make connections and hierarchies. Take chalk and start drawing connecting lines, circles, arrows. Then on another board draw a tree or root diagram. This can of course be done on paper also, but there's something liberating about the blackboard that allows for physical movement.

3. A role playing exercise that is useful if you're fearful of exposing yourself to judgment, shame, etc.: Write out a scene in which your "unblocked self" starts writing. What would "you" do first? What would interest "you" about the writing project? What would "you" like to accomplish? Who would "you" like to impress? How would "you" organize the project? What evidence would "you" use? What ideas would "you" develop or explore... that is... if YOU were not blocked?