SCCTE Conference Proposal

SCCTE 2008: Teaching and Creating South Carolina Writers
Program Proposal for Teachers
DUE October 1, 2007

Name of Lead Presenter Angela Kiker
(Include other presenters in the program description below.)

Email: akiker@oconee.k12.sc.us; angelakiker1978@yahoo.com Phone: school – 864-885-5000 cell – 864-245-8220

Home Address: 701 S. Cherry St. Seneca, SC 29678


School Affiliation: Seneca High School School District of Oconee County

Describe your proposal in 250 words or less. Please remember your presentation will be scheduled for 45 minutes on Friday, January 25, 2008.

Do your students struggle with knowing when to write formally or informally? There are two sides to every piece of writing: the writer and the audience. Students wrestle with understanding when to use formal and informal voice in their writing. Even with a formal piece of writing, slang terms creep in unexpectedly and are difficult for students to identify and correct. This interactive research supported demonstration provides teachers with real life applicable strategies that not only guide students through the difference between writing to a child, texting to a friend, or writing to a business, but also provides them opportunity to practice and build confidence in their writing skills. Teachers are shown slang words for vocabulary terms and are then guided in finding more “formal” words to replace the informal ones. Then using television commercials and/or pictures to provide a visual of what an audience may look like, participants analyze techniques used to capture various audiences’ attention. Through freewriting, teachers explore how they would feel being each particular audience. Building from their freewrite, participants write letters explaining their chosen career to three different audiences, paying particular attention to their word choice. This strategy is especially helpful for non-college bound high school students. Student samples will be shared and handouts for the demonstration will be given to each participant.


Audience: ____ Elementary _X__ High School ____ Middle School ___ General

Equipment required:
If you need a laptop or projector, please bring your own. Due to high rates for rental equipment, we are unable to provide this equipment.
_________ Overhead Projector
______x___ Screen
_________ TV/VCR/DVD
_________ Other (please explain)

For questions contact
Nancy Swanson swansonv@pickens.k12.sc.us