Writer’s Notebook Setting it Up and Expectations

What is a Writer’s Notebook? A writer’s notebook is a blank book where a writer can gather ideas and insights that may eventually become a piece of writing. It’s like a toolbox—it may be messy, scattered, and not necessarily organized…and that is perfectly okay.

What Belongs in a Writer’s Notebook? Reflections on what you see in the world around you Questions that you may have about a topic Descriptions of Places Sketches Song Lyrics that you find meaningful Quotes Plans and Goals Etc.– See your “What Kinds” handout for more ideas

What Does Not Belong in a Writer’s Notebook? A journal that only contains summaries of the day’s events (this is okay sometimes, but variety is key) Something that is very personal that you don’t want others to see (use your best judgment)

General Rules to Follow Date each entry. Begin your next entry right beneath the previous one or on the next sequential page in your notebook (save the trees—use all of the space you are given!) Just because you wrote about a topic one day does not mean that it is finished. You may return to a topic if you want. You may use sticky notes or margin notes to emphasize a page.

What Should I do During “Writer’s Workshop Time”? Write the entire time Consult your list of potential types of entries If you can’t think of something to write, try starting with a sketch or another type of brainstorming

Let’s Set it Up!

Front Cover Write your name (first and last) Write your teacher’s name and class period Add drawings, tape pictures, and/or add any personal details. You can do this for homework and/or add to it as ideas come to you.

Inside Front Cover Tape or write out the writer’s notebook expectations

Inside Back Cover Tape or glue the “What Kinds of Entries Are There?” page. You can reference this any time that you aren’t sure what to write about.

First Page Write “Six Word Memoir”

The Six Word Memoir Once asked to write a full story in six words, legend has it that novelist Ernest Hemingway responded: "For Sale: baby shoes, never worn." An online magazine asked readers to write the story of their own lives in a single sentence. The memoirs are published in the book, Not Quite What I Was Planning and online. Examples: Stephen Colbert “Well, I thought it was funny” and anonymous but recently dumped person “I still make coffee for two” See continuously published memoirs on the Six Word Memoirs sites for teens: or schools:

So, what makes a good six word memoir? It has to be something that tells a story. It has to be something that allows the reader to “infer” something about the writer. Let’s look at some examples…

Still like to play with matches. What can we infer about this person? Does it tell a story? So, does this one work?

What about these? I like to eat pepperoni pizza. I really love my dog. How can we make them better?

Okay, now it’s your turn. Step One: Pre-writing… Write the six word memoirs in your journal. (Try for at least three. If you finish early, keep writing more.) Tip: Think of what you want to say, even if it’s 8 words. Then think of what you can throw out or rephrase to get to 6 poetic words.

Step Two: Drafting… Pick the best of the three you wrote and star/highlight them. Introduce yourself and then share your best six word memoir with your “shoulder” partner. (That is the person sitting next to you). Exchange feedback on the memoirs as well.

Step Three: On a sticky note, write down everything you can infer about that person based on their memoir. (It must be based on the text and you should think of at least three deeper level inferences.)

Publishing! Finally, please edit your six word memoir & write it on a sheet of blank paper. Make sure your words are spelled correctly. Use a dictionary if you need to check a word. (Or ask me.) Add drawings and color it up! Above all else, make it your own. Extension: You can also publish it on the Six Word Memoir sites.