SPA2005 session: Lightning writing workshop | |||
| One-line description: | Exchange ideas on improving writing skills | ||
| Session format: | Workshop [read about the different session types] | ||
| Abstract: | Beginning programmers often ask, "Which language should I learn ?" Some programming languages indeed provide more leverage than others - but the greatest possible leverage comes from improving mastery in a language you already know - written English (or the written form of your native language if you're not an English speaker). All software-related jobs also require writing about software as an ongoing duty, in one form or another - from writing articles evangelizing particular methods or technologies, to writing end user or technical documentation, to writing comments in code. Writing well increases your effectiveness in spreading crucial ideas, and focuses your own thinking as well. Writing is a complex technology in own right - and there are specific practices which can help tame that technology. This session will * introduce participants to techniques to improve writing skills, including freewriting and the use of audience feedback * elicit further techniques from the participants. A longer-term objective is to assess the feasability of online equivalents of group techniques for building writing skill | ||
| Audience background: | Anyone who writes for professional or personal reasons, and who'd like to improve their writing skills - any level, from novices to seasoned writers. | ||
| Benefits of participating: | * Learn and/or practice two specific techniques for improving writing skill * Exchange tips and techniques with other participants * Have fun | ||
| Materials provided: | |||
| Process: | 00:00 - 00:10 Topic introduction 00:10 - 00:20 Presentations 00:20 - 00:40 Participants' writing tips & stories 00:40 - 00:55 Freewriting exercise 00:55 - 01:10 Debriefing 00:55 - 01:05 Sharing & feedback 01:05 - 01:15 Wrap-up | ||
| Outputs: | A wiki will be provided for session outputs (such as samples of freewriting) and ongoing post-conference work | ||
| History: | Ran once at EuroFoo: http://wiki.oreillynet.com/eurofoo/wikis.conf?WritingTheUltimateTechnology Inspired by this AYE session: http://www.ayeconference.com/wiki/scribble.cgi?read=SessionThree021 (also see http://www.ayeconference.com/wiki/scribble.cgi?read=NotesFromSessionThree021) | ||
| Presenters | |||
| 1. Laurent Bossavit Exoftware |
2. | 3. | |