The Writing Workshop: Do's and Dont's

A Strategy Guide for Effective Creative Writing Management

Mar 10, 2009

Writing workshops are the cornerstone of University creative writing programs. Here is a helpful guide to conjuring a productive and cooperative one in your classroom.

For Professors and students alike the writing workshop can be a room for creative development and expansion. All are invested in the process, critiquing pieces with care, providing informative criticism and encouragement. By contrast, the workshop can turn into something resembling Salem circa 1692: brimming with suspicion, judgment and uninterested participants with everyone, at some point, pointing and shouting, "Get behind me Satan!" Here are 5 simple rules that every educator should require of their students to ensure the latter never occurs.

Writers should be assigned days in which they will present material (poems, story, chapter from a novel etc) to their workshop. Ideally work is passed out one week prior to the discussion so that classmates may prepare constructive criticism and informed critique.

2. What is Constructive Criticism?

Everyone in the room is an equal. This means there are no "sage comments" beginning with words and phrases such as: "I would do this", or "it would sound better this way" etc. Suggestions are to be made in a questioning manner that communicates moments in work that may have confused or not provided enough clarity for the reader. Writers are likewise expected to check their egos at the door: You are here for help, not praise in your work. Also, no demeaning criticism, harsh language, or anything that may generally irritate or alienate classmates.

3. Submit Works in Progress, Nothing finished

As said earlier, the workshop is not a center of praise but constructive critique. As such writers are encouraged and even required to submit works that are in progress, rough drafts. Writers should also be prepared to tell classmates of problem areas in the work they would like them to pay attention to such as "image quality" or "consistency of tense." Writers should try to not be married to any one part of their creative work, revision is the only way to improve. As William Faulkner said, "You've got to learn to kill your darlings."

How does a student get a grade in a writing workshop? Quality of work is a factor but more importantly the quality of critique is what should ultimately determine final marks. In the beginning of the semester all feedback on student work should be collected by the instructor and graded with the instructor/professor giving some feedback on which comments are most useful and which could be left out. It also gives those in class that need incentive to fully participate a reason to be thorough in their review of other students work.

5. Have Fun!

The writing workshop is a young writer's best tool in improving their work and their voice. All should approach the sessions with enthusiasm and interest. Have fun with the work, maintain a positive attitude and the sessions should prove invaluable and the solid basis for a burgeoning portfolio. There are many workshops to choose from so select the one that looks like the best fit for experience level.

The copyright of the article The Writing Workshop: Do's and Dont's in Resources for Writers is owned by Jonathan Lister. Permission to republish The Writing Workshop: Do's and Dont's in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.