Writing For Professional Audiences: Becoming

Powerful Change Agents

Juan AraujoFebruary 2, 2013

Let’s Write

What is something you've done as an English Language Arts teacher that took guts, and was it worth the risk? (Due November 15)

7-10 minutes

Writing For PublicationReasons:Contribute to the professional dialogueTo spread knowledge that adds to the

language and literacy professionShare/validate classroom ideasPublish scholarly findingsTo professionally develop oneselfTo meet promotion and tenure requirements

Look-Think-Act

Identify a Current Problem

Collect/think about Data

Use the Results in your

Teaching

Write it up

Stringer, E. T. (1999). Action research: A handbook for practitioners. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

It’s a Mindset

Writing

ReadingListening

Speaking Writing crystallizes thought, and thought

produces action.”Paul Meyer

What Do The Experts Say?

Always be WritingExplore who you are as a writerKnow what environment suits youAre you a Mac or Windows user?Talk to others about your writingPut it in your calendarCarry a notebook Write

Think-Pair-Share

About YouWho are you as a writer?Who are you as a teacher of writing?What environment suits you?What writing tools do you use?What feelings do you get when you see your

name in print? 7 minutes

Publishing in Scholarly JournalsPlanningWriting the manuscriptSubmitting the manuscriptThe waiting gameReplying to revise and resubmit

Teacher as Researcher• “Systematic, intentional inquiry by teachers.”

(Lytle and Cochran-Smith, 1990)

WhyIncreases understanding of educational concernsFocuses on a problem of immediate needGeared toward practical needsEncourages collaboration

Other Practitioner Ideas?• Blogs• Newspapers– Education Week– Dallas Morning News

• Teacher Magazines– Yes!Magazine

• Newsletters– NCTE Inbox– Smartbriefs

One Personal ExampleLiteracy Research Association Yearbook January/February 2010—Drafted proposal March 2010—Submitted proposal for review November 2010—Edit paper and handouts December 2010—Present paper in FW January 2011-Submitted paper for review March 2011—Received provisional acceptance May 2011—Submit revisions July 2011—Camera-ready copy November 2011—Published

Let’s Share• For the next five minutes meet someone

“new” to you and talk about your publishing experiences.

Find a BuddyTo be a sounding board To provide mutual supportTo be honestBecause writing is social! It needs to be read

and heard. To be that “critical friend”

What Do The Experts Say?

Sharpen Your Writing• Write daily• Log your time• Post your questions somewhere• Send papers to non-experts• Read aloud• Introduce concepts gently

Just Do It—Hit Send

Brainstorming

Planning and Organizing your thoughts

Drafting/Sharing

Draft

Revising and Editing

Hitting the send button

Modified from virtual.yosemite.cc.ca.us/lumanr2/english_25/Writing_Process.ppt