When helping students build their confidence in writing, it may be helpful to model from a successful text. This may be difficult if students are not avid or interested readers, and do not have a strong understanding of different language techniques and how they can shape meaning.

It may be helpful to view a section of film and use specific shot changes to structure paragraphs. Coffee and Cigarettes, a black and white film by Jim Jarmusch, is a series of short vignettes that lend themselves to this exercise.

Read more on my creative writing page.