Teaching Writing to High School Students, Frank McCourt Style

I just finished reading Frank McCourt’s Teacher Man. McCourt not only has wonderful stories to tell, but he is able to do so without using all the similes and metaphors that other authors often overuse.

The last section of the book is titled “Coming Alive in Room 205.” These last 75 pages chronicle McCourt’s years teaching creative writing at the famed Stuyvesant High School. I strongly recommend that high school writing teachers read this part of the book, even if that is the only part that is consumed. More than anything, it presents the author’s unconventional philosophical approach to teaching writing. It was also helpful to me as I gather my own material for future stories. McCourt especially helps writers to see the rich sources of material that are around them every day.

Reading (or not reading) the Writing Projects of Others

Grumble, grumble, grumble. I really dislike it when friends ask me to read their latest pieces of writing. I’m selfish and want to spend my spare time reading stories and books of my own choosing. Anyway, the people who ask me to read their stories are usually not serious writers, but individuals who just got a sudden, but temporary, urge to put their ideas on paper. They don’t take the time necessary to rewrite and rewrite and rewrite until the piece is really ready to share. Also, they are not looking for specific feedback such as

• Is the theme clear?
• Are there questions in the story that should be answered?
• Does a specific section need more development?

Instead, the piece is often given to me with a note such as, “I thought you might like to read this story I wrote.” So, I’m telling everyone now...I do not want to read whatever it is that you wrote.