In the Works

The Transformative Power of Writing

In 2020, our theme for the Lecture Series and Literacyworks Center workshops will be the Transformative Power of Writing. Writing and reading go hand-in-hand. You need to read to write well and write to read well.

We will seek speakers who can help inspire low-literacy adults to become confident writers through their own personal stories. And we will offer workshops on writing to our students and the community.

Research suggests that adults of all ages are not flexible, confident writers. Poor writers tend to have poor school performance with high drop-out rates. These adults are underprepared for postsecondary education or successful employment. Our adult students must be taught to improve their writing skills and increase their confidence in their ability to write to further their education or work advancement. The writing demands of most entry-level jobs are growing. Businesses complain that it is difficult to find workers that can write at even a basic level.

There are two ways to become a better writer: write a lot and read a lot. Reading and writing are inseparable. The better writers tend to be exceptional readers, and better readers can produce excellent writing. A writer who doesn’t read is like a musician who doesn’t listen to music or a filmmaker who doesn’t watch films. It is impossible to do good work without experiencing the good work that has gone before.

A well-read writer has a better vocabulary, recognizes the nuances of language, and distinguishes between poor and quality writing. Stephen King, said: “Can I be blunt on this subject? If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.“

Reading helps us make connections to our own experiences and emotions, so reading makes you a better writer and a better communicator. Nothing inspires us as writers, whether it’s writing a letter, a journal entry, a report, or the next great American novel, like reading someone else’s words.

Read, read, read. Read everything—trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it is good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out the window.
– William Faulkner

THE CENTER IS CHANGING LIVES AND THE NEED IS GREAT

SOME PROGRAMS PROVIDE JUST A BAND-AID, BUT THE CENTER CREATES REAL LIFELONG CHANGE

Student Profile

Literacyworks Center has a few husband and wife participants in the program, but starting this spring semester, we will be supporting a husband, wife, and son. Erika and Pedro began the program four years ago, both taking English as Second Language classes. As their English improved, they started taking college-level courses and are doing very well. Erika focuses on psychology and sociology. Her personal and professional goal is to work on creating supportive and inclusive communities that celebrate both diversity and individuality. Pedro is studying business while he works in the foodservice industry. His long- term goal is to start his own business. He will be transferring to a university very soon. In our ‘one to one’ interview, we learned of their deep commitment to their community and their family. It was in this context that we heard about their son Peter. Peter recently graduated from high school and wants to attend Santa Rosa Junior College to continue studying music. He is taking basic skills classes, along with a variety of music classes. He appears committed to his success in school. We all know how important it is for parents to be positive models for their children. Theirs is a perfect example of how a loving and supportive family can, through education, create optimistic futures for themselves.