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1. Imbue
assignments with
the promise of
originality
We need to find ways to
assign written work that
can find an audience.
Avoid the standard essay
on what makes “Hamlet,”
a complicated work of art,
and think of ways to have
students demonstrate
comprehension through
writing that is different
and publishable. Nobody
needs to publish an essay
on indecisiveness in
“Hamlet”; but there may be
an audience interested in
students uncovering and
analyzing how multicultural
classrooms in New York City
have responded to the text
over the past century.
2. Avoid
arbitrary
deadlines
Journalists set deadlines
based on publication
schedules rather than
marking periods. Find times
when true publication
makes sense and build in
deadlines that will inspire
students to work towards
the goal of having work
ready for an audience.
3. Remove the
answers from
the teacher
and encourage
authentic learning
Journalists know what they
don’t know and learn how
to find it. They are authentic
learners, at their best. By
creating assignments that
encourage students to
uncover some new angle on
a topic it shifts the burden
from the teacher having to
provide students with “the
right” answer and offers
students opportunities to
find what the teacher may
not expect.
During our experimental unit,
few students would say that
they were taught anything
journalistic because it was
not treated as a journalistic
unit. That unseen weaving
together of the two kinds of
courses proved successful
precisely because it felt like a
departure from the standard
English writing project and
yet it made sense within the
confines of the curriculum.
PUBLICATION OPTIONS
It’s easy to offer “true” publication as an
incentive, but it’s not always easy to find
the right venue.
Here are some places where students can
publish their work:
The school newspaper/news site: This
is the simplest and likeliest avenue for
publication. If you have work that is relevant
to the school community, reach out to those
running the school newspaper and make an
arrangement. Most student editors would be
happy to host polished content that other
students provide them (with the backing of
a teacher).
Local publications: You would be surprised
at how willing local publications are to
consider publishing relevant and timely
student work. Consider reaching out to local
newspapers and proposing content.
School website: If the school paper is unable
to host your work, consider the official school
website. An impressive set of student writing
that is published for the school audience is
something most administrators would want
showcased on the school’s official page.
Medium and social media: If all else fails,
sites like Medium will host work, and it feels
more official than posting on a class blog
would. Publishing with Medium, and then
teaching students how to gain an audience
for their published work through social
media channels, can be worthwhile exercise.