Mighty Pens: Writers for Positive Change
How can our voice be used to make communities stronger?
Photo Credit: Homework Help by Allen County (IN) Public Library is licensed under CC by 2.0
Develop students' skills of writing in several genres: persuasive essay, news story, reflective journaling, and personal narrative. They recognize that reflecting and writing about civic engagement, service, and volunteerism enables them to clarify their own commitment and participation in contributing to the common good, and also gives them the power to inspire and persuade others to serve. Students are encouraged to publish their stories in writing, podcasts, weblogs, or other forms of media.
Through persuasive writing, the learners will build awareness and invite action for change in their school, the community or the world about an issue of concern. Typical forms may include essays, editorials, feature articles, or speeches.
This lesson guides learners as they inform a public audience about philanthropic acts that enhance the common good. The learners write newspaper articles that describe their own acts of service and volunteerism or those of other individuals or groups in their community.
This lesson teaches students how to journal about their own experiences and feelings. It is intended to be taught in conjunction with a student project of civic engagement or service. The project provides content and a context for journaling about personal experience.
Learners write personal narratives to document activities, insights, research, impact, and discoveries of their firsthand experience with civic engagement, service, and volunteerism. By explaining involvement in action for the common good, learners raise awareness of a social issue, the need for change, and the impact individuals can have by giving time, talent, or treasure for the common good.