Duel or Duet?



Day 10: Slice of Life Writing Challenge



I’d like to invite you to accept a challenge.

Or challenge you to accept an invitation.

Your choice.

A duel, or a duet?

If you’ve read this far, chances are you enjoy reading other people’s writing. And if you’re reading this specific post, it is highly likely you either are a teacher who dabbles in writing instruction, or you are a participant in the “Slice of Life” writing challenge, or both.

So let me slice to the chase. I want to invite you, or challenge you, to try an innovative writing technique. Don’t worry, it won’t be graded. Nobody from the PARCC consortium will be assessing you. This is purely for your entertainment, and growth.

Here is how it works. Or at least I think, seeing as though this is also my maiden voyage with a duet and / or a duel as well. I saw the idea on a recent tweet by my PLN friend Theresa Christensen ( @GradingGirl ), and thought it would add a fun twist to student writing, as well as my own.

So without further adieu, here is my spin:

Duel:

1st: List several opposite concepts, or antonyms. Examples:

– Awake vs. Asleep

– Chaotic vs. Calm

– Tolerance vs. Immersion

– Marvel Universe vs. DC

– Boxers vs. (oops, never mind)

2nd: You and your collaborating partner each choose a side. Write your own post from that standpoint. Sing the praises of your perspective. Pick of few playful holes in the other side.

3rd: Post each to your blog, and link them. Let your readers enjoy point vs. counterpoint.

You can read more about dueling posts here. 

Duet:

1st: List several similar concepts, or play with words along a continuum. Enjoy discerning the nuances between synonyms. Examples:

– Flying or Soaring 

– Running or Racing

– Innovation or Creation

– Reading a book in a warm cafe, or curled on your couch with your latest novel

– Hosting a feast for friends, or having a special meal with family

2nd: You and your collaborating partner each choose your part of the same song. Write your own post from that vantage point. Sing the praises of your perspective. Dig into what makes it resonate with you. Perhaps contrast it to your partner’s side, but enjoying both views. You’re creating harmony.

3rd: Post each to your blog, and link them. Let your readers enjoy the blended voice that you and your partner have jointly created.

So find a partner. To playfully spar with, or to sync with. Duke it out, or dance.

I’ll post some here in the coming days, and I look forward to reading yours as well.

This invitation promises to be a fun challenge.