The 11 Minute Essay By Gretchen Bernabie presented
The 11 Minute Essay By Gretchen Bernabie presented by Mindy De La Rosa, ELA Academic Coach
Begin with Truisms • A Statement, the truth of which is well known or obvious • Look at the photo. • Read the “truism”. Think about what it says for 1 minute. • Now, indent and write the statement on the top line of your paper. • Write for 1 minute about that statement. (What does it People invent ways to solve life’s mean to you) problems.
People invent ways to solve life’s problems.
Indent and skip a line. Think of a story or book you have read that relates to that statement. Write about it for 3 minutes.
Skip a line and indent. Now think of a movie you have seen that illustrates the above truism. Write about it for 3 minutes.
Skip a line and indent. Think of an historical figure or event that illustrates or explains the truism. Write about it for 3 minutes.
That’s why… Skip a line and indent. Begin your last sentence with “That’s why…” or “I wonder” as you think about a final thought for the truism. I wonder…
Count all the words you have written. Put the number at the top of your paper.
Personal Experience
Classroom Sample – This is after the 3 rd time we had done this strategy. Knowledge leads to knew opportunities. • I did not give them a photo to look at this time because one of my students said that the photo confused him. • I used the first truism I just showed you. • The second one I used was: First impressions can sometimes be misleading
Application to EOC English I
Application to EOC English II
Spring 2014 Eng. II – Before Strategy
Spring 2014 Eng. II – Before Strategy
AFTER Strategy
AFTER Strategy
What effect does this strategy have on our students’ writing? • Helps build student confidence • Willingness to write more on several topics • Organization is evident where there was none before. • Excitement about writing, instead of dread. Do I have to do it exactly like this? Of course not, but if you do it like this, I know it works. My recommendation is that if you follow Gretchen’s instructions exactly, then you will get the results we need for successful writing.
- Slides: 18