Creative writing jogging – short exercises

Kontext / Contexte

Ever heard of creative writing jogging? What? Never? I agree, it is a relatively unknown sport but essential for your creativity! And creativity is a muscle that needs to be trained on a daily basis.
The principle of creative writing jogging is simple: a short, repeated workout. The students write for a maximum of 7 minutes and a few volunteers present their texts to the class. The aim is not to write stories, but short texts that meet a specific set of instructions.
Hesitant at first, the pupils become more and more confident as they go along.

Zielsetzung / Objectifs

Knowledge
The participants will be familiar with:
- the concept of creative writing
- the concept of creative writing jogging
- a few creative writing techniques
- out of the box thinking, a stimulating technique.

Know-how
Participants will be able to:
- apply some creative writing techniques
- supervise students during exercises
- evaluate students without judging their creations
- use writing techniques to stimulate their own creativity.

Approach
Participants are encouraged to:
- detach themselves from their own obstacles to creativity
- put themselves in the shoes of a student
- encourage a caring and respectful attitude towards others, while creating an environment of trust and active listening during the exercises
- respect the "intimate" side of writing
- take part in exercises.

Multiple objectives:
- develop spontaneous writing thanks to very short texts and simple guidelines
- develop creativity even under time pressure
- learn to speak in front of an audience.

Inhalt / Contenu

How does creative writing fit in with the logic of formative assessment?
- what is creative writing jogging?
* the principles behind writing jogging
* writing under time pressure
* creating a climate of trust to encourage students to express themselves
- creative writing jogging: practical exercises
- how to assess your students?
- what to do if a student runs out of ideas?

The exercises will vary according to the level of the pupils: primary, secondary education or students with difficulties.

Arbeitsformen / Approche méthodologique

- Brief theoretical approach
- sharing of creative writing resources
- writing exercises will illustrate the theory allowing teachers to experience the process and difficulties students might encounter

Referent, Referentin / Formateur, formatrice

Fabienne Decembry, published author, creative writing workshop animator, Masters degree in commercial and consular sciences