Chris in PA Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Hi all, I need some writing advice for my dd. Here is a little background. She is a senior and is headed to college in the fall to major in English. Her goal is to be a book editor. She loves creative writing and does not like to write essays. There are several stories on her laptop right now that she is working on. In regards to essay writing, she tells me that she struggles with writing introductions and conclusions. However, I also noticed that she hates the constraints of an essay. This week I pulled out The New Oxford Guide to Writing to use as prep for college level writing. Needless to say this has been a disaster. She digs her heels in and refuses to work at the practice exercises. All she keeps saying is, “I told you I hate this type of writingâ€. I have been trying to reason with her and explain that this book can help her develop into a better essay writer but she wants no parts of it. I need help. Is there something gentler that we could use? Maybe this is too overwhelming. I have been trying to have her write short papers for the mythology and history classes she is doing at home. So far that has been going well. Should I forget a book/curriculum and just have her write? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated as this is one area of our schooling where I am the most insecure. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
css3238 Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Hi all,I need some writing advice for my dd. Here is a little background. She is a senior and is headed to college in the fall to major in English. Her goal is to be a book editor. She loves creative writing and does not like to write essays. There are several stories on her laptop right now that she is working on. In regards to essay writing, she tells me that she struggles with writing introductions and conclusions. However, I also noticed that she hates the constraints of an essay. This week I pulled out The New Oxford Guide to Writing to use as prep for college level writing. Needless to say this has been a disaster. She digs her heels in and refuses to work at the practice exercises. All she keeps saying is, “I told you I hate this type of writingâ€. I have been trying to reason with her and explain that this book can help her develop into a better essay writer but she wants no parts of it. I need help. Is there something gentler that we could use? Maybe this is too overwhelming. I have been trying to have her write short papers for the mythology and history classes she is doing at home. So far that has been going well. Should I forget a book/curriculum and just have her write? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated as this is one area of our schooling where I am the most insecure. Thanks! Let me tell you from experience that if she wants to go to college and earn a degree that will lead to editing she is going to have to write essays out the yang. Perhaps that is the way to go. Maybe explain that reality to her and say that while you understand she absolutely hates this type of writing, if she wants to reach her goal this is one of the many (many, many, many, many) things she is not going to want to do but have to do anyway. Have her research the classes she would take at a college if she doesn't believe you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Togo Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Take a look at Julie Bogart's "Help for High School." It is a downloadable product and written to the student. It teaches essays with some "creative" exercises. The presentation is engaging. We have used this with two students, and it is one of our favorites. If your daughter can take an essay class with Julie in the spring, it would be even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
history_junkie Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 I agree that any sort of English major will require endless amounts of essays. I minored in Editing & Publishing and had the opportunity to take several creative writing classes. Those classes exist, but most often as a minor that is usually paired with a typical English degree- one that would certainly demand extensive essays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 You might want to check out SWB's blog post English majors and the writing life. Best Wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in PA Posted October 4, 2012 Author Share Posted October 4, 2012 Let me tell you from experience that if she wants to go to college and earn a degree that will lead to editing she is going to have to write essays out the yang. Perhaps that is the way to go. Maybe explain that reality to her and say that while you understand she absolutely hates this type of writing, if she wants to reach her goal this is one of the many (many, many, many, many) things she is not going to want to do but have to do anyway. Have her research the classes she would take at a college if she doesn't believe you. :iagree: I have been telling her this. She has to understand that she is going to be taking classes and asked to do things that she really has no interest in. I guess this is my child that has to do things the hard way. No amount of telling her anything gets through to her. I will share the comments on this thread with her. Maybe hearing it from someone else will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in PA Posted October 4, 2012 Author Share Posted October 4, 2012 I agree that any sort of English major will require endless amounts of essays. I minored in Editing & Publishing and had the opportunity to take several creative writing classes. Those classes exist, but most often as a minor that is usually paired with a typical English degree- one that would certainly demand extensive essays. At the local state university (where she plans on attending) she can major in English but then needs a focus in a certain area. She is choosing creative writing as there is no option for editing and publishing. Thanks for the advice. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in PA Posted October 4, 2012 Author Share Posted October 4, 2012 Take a look at Julie Bogart's "Help for High School." It is a downloadable product and written to the student. It teaches essays with some "creative" exercises. The presentation is engaging. We have used this with two students, and it is one of our favorites. If your daughter can take an essay class with Julie in the spring, it would be even better. I actually did this last night. I searched these boards and found a previous post from you concerning this program. I went and read about it and read through the sample on the website. I purchased it before bed from homeschoolbuyers co-op. I like what I see and I am praying this works for her. I think she will enjoy Julie's style. I am starting to wonder if maybe she was intimidated by the Kane text. Just a thought this morning over a cup of tea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmamaz Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 I used and liked Help for High School tho we only did the first half so far. i also went to the library and looked over all the essay writing books they had and found one that was really fun aimed at teens, which my son at least was willing to read lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Let me tell you from experience that if she wants to go to college and earn a degree that will lead to editing she is going to have to write essays out the yang. Perhaps that is the way to go. Maybe explain that reality to her and say that while you understand she absolutely hates this type of writing, if she wants to reach her goal this is one of the many (many, many, many, many) things she is not going to want to do but have to do anyway. Have her research the classes she would take at a college if she doesn't believe you. :iagree: I double majored in English and Rhetoric, and I worked in publishing for a number of years doing editing, proofreading, writing, and various administrative tasks. There is no way around the need for strong essay writing, even if she prefers fiction writing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Togo Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Chris, Your daughter will learn all the traditional essay components, but Help for High School is accessible for teens. I think your daughter will enjoy it. Julie also has a product for writing about movies, which we have used and enjoyed as well. You could use that after Help for High School. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in PA Posted October 5, 2012 Author Share Posted October 5, 2012 Chris, Your daughter will learn all the traditional essay components, but Help for High School is accessible for teens. I think your daughter will enjoy it. Julie also has a product for writing about movies, which we have used and enjoyed as well. You could use that after Help for High School. I looked on the website and didn't see it. Are there any samples to look at? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Togo Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 It's under Slingshot - Bravewriter Goes to the Movie. It's $15, and can be used as a discussion guide with any movie. It's like a Socratic list for movies covering costume, film editing, characters, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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