Mapping Your Writing Territory

How can students write about things that they care about? Simple, have them map out their writing territories! Even better, map out your own along with them!

After students have listed approximately 20 things they would like to write about (or already do), have them choose one of their territories and produce a "Sneeze" on it (a 20-minute writing exploration into that topic.

Have them do a different topic each day Monday through Thursday, and on Friday they should choose their best draft and revise it.

Additionally, students can "funnel" the territories by completing graphic organizers on their topics like WRITE SMALLER and TOPIC BLASTS!