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Module 6 | No-stress ways to write better

Session 1

1 hour

Theme

Rethink what we mean by good writing, and prepare to write better.

Methodology

Ground rules to set for all sessions:
- Bring only the devices you need to the session. Note to facilitator: Explain here what is needed for this particular session
- Mute mobile phones before you put them away
- Encourage the participants to take space and make space. To take up space is to speak up and participate actively in discussions and putting their ideas and perspectives across. It is equally important to make space for others to do the same. Note to facilitators: Ensure you check in about this throughout the sessions, especially by making space for those who are not used to taking up space or struggling to do so.
- This is a safe space, and we encourage everyone to check their privilege and ensure that we do not discriminate in speech or action.
- Do remember there are no right or wrong answers. Note to facilitator: Repeating this during the sessions and activities helps participants speak up more freely.

  • Ask participants about great books they enjoy reading or enjoyed reading in their childhood. Ask them why they enjoyed those books. Set aside 5-7 minutes to discuss answers.
  • Explain how we tend to think of writing and immediately think of the standard of good writing as the great books we have read. We believe we are never going to be that great, and hence, cannot tell a good story.
  • However, the key here is to understand that we all have stories to tell, especially in terms of impact, and the audience we are trying to tell it to is very clear to us. We don't have to win a Nobel Prize for literature. All we need to do is to be able to tell our story in a way that it reaches our target audience.
  • We can look at different formats of content for telling these stories. But clarity of thought begins with writing and that is why it is always good to start documenting all stories in writing first. 
  • What are the key things to do before one starts writing?
    - Know your audience
    - Research
    - Write a synopsis
    Each of these points are explained here: https://wiki.aikyamfellows.org/books/comms-for-good-lets-write-better-starting-now/page/before-you-start-writing
  • Explain the importance of a synopsis. You can use personal stories for this.
    Or use the example of Stan Lee, who was creative head of Marvel Comics and has created iconic characters like Spiderman, X-Men, Black Widow, Iron Man and more. For each book, he would discuss ideas with his editor and team and make sure a written synopsis comes out of the discussion, which is circulated among everyone working on the project. This is how he made sure all workable ideas are documented and executed.  He started out by recording the discussions and sharing it with the team but then he quickly figured no one was listening to the tape, and referencing it when they were stuck. And that is how they progressed to the written synopsis.
  • Every synopsis should cover the following points: who you are writing for, what they will take away from this piece (do you want them to learn something/take action?), the broad idea of what you are trying to cover and all the important points you need to touch upon within this topic.
  • Using all the information they now have, about the audience and the synopsis, ask each participant to write down the topic of one of the blog posts they have written as prep work for the residency. Now, ask them to write a 70-100 word synopsis on one of the blog posts they have already written for their project.
  • Give them 20 minutes for this exercise, following which they can read out their synopsis.
Outcomes
  • Understanding what good writing means in terms of impact storytelling
  • Understanding the basics of prepping for writing
  • Being able to craft a synopsis
Session 2

2.5 hours

Theme

Hacks and tools to write better

Methodology
  • The only way to get better at writing is just by writing.
  • Spare at least an hour a day for writing; hacks to find time like habit stacking
  •  Use hacks from this tool to write better: https://wiki.aikyamfellows.org/books/comms-for-good-lets-write-better-starting-now/page/just-write
    Participants can go through the entire book in their time, but go over the following points with them
    - Putting everything in the first draft
    - Hack for structuring content better
    - How to get over a writing block
    - Using hemingwayapp to check for readability
    - Writing inviting title and crisp intros
  • Each participant to go through the page, and rewrite their blog posts according to their synopsis.
Learning outcomes
  • Understanding that writing is a skill like any other, and can be improved by practice
  • Learning how to write better for their audiences
  • Feeling more confident about writing and creating content ideas using these hacks.
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