The National Council of Teachers of English has established a National Day on Writing, celebrated on October 20. This is essentially an opportunity for writers of any medium, genre, or field of study to unite and share with each other their passion for writing. Whether their definition of writing consists of simply using pen and paper, texting their friends and family via cell phone, or submitting a video presentation in an otherwise traditional writing class, the NCTE wants to hear their stories and "read" what they've produced.
The idea behind this celebrated day is to emphasize the fact that "people in every walk of life, in every kind of work, and at every age write more than ever before for personal, professional, and civic purposes." Anyone and everyone, at some point, writes, even if their mediums and purposes are different. The fact that people are becoming more aware of this fact seems to help them identify themselves as writers and encourages them to write more, thereby helping their own lives and careers, as well as those around them.
Coming together to share their writing and experience the work of other writers helps to introduce people to new ideas and ways of thinking, which in turn educates them in how to better "write for different purposes, audiences, and occasions throughout their lifetimes." The National Day on Writing also helps teachers to better understand the importance of writing instruction at every level of education. By introducing young people to the various methods of writing--as well as pointing out methods of writing they've already been exposed to, unconsciously--we can help them realize that they already are very literate, just in different ways. Technology has become an important factor in this, considering that it has enabled us to write, produce, and communicate with greater speed and efficiency than ever before, allowing for a truly diverse--and yet very unified--community of writers. This national day promotes and celebrates that community.
One method in which writing is celebrates is via the National Gallery on Writing, to be unveiled on October 20. This digital archive truly brings all mediums of writing together, allowing anyone to submit one work of practically any writing medium that can be conceived. Essays, blogs, electronic presentations, videos, audio recordings, short fiction, documentaries, poetry, instructional writing, art, and much, much more.
The galleries in NGoW are many and varied, spanning across several different subjects, mediums, and genres. One gallery, "Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears," is devoted to raising awareness of the polar regions and the importance it has for the planet as a whole; they are putting their word out in several various ways, including "poetry, prose, essay, journal, narrative, and even multimedia." And anyone who actually gets the title of this blog will know very well how serious I am about gaming, not only as an entertainment medium, but also another form of art as well as a tool for learning. Well lo and behold, one gallery, entitled "Video Games as Learning Tools," is devoted to "studying video games, the culture surrounding them, and using them to produce new media," a field I'm sure to submit to in honor of NDoW.
People all around the country have already been forming a vast amount of galleries on the NGoW website, and virtually anyone is eligible to submit one work, so feel free. The more people submitting, the better NDoW--and therefore, writing--can be promoted. Some other ways to get involed include inviting anyone you know to submit a work for publication on the NGoW, promote NDoW and NGoW publicly, spread the word, communicate with other writers, and celebrate what writers have to offer. Also, the House of Representatives will be considering a proposal to make October 20 the official National Day on Writing, so contact your Congressional Representative and ask for support for the resolution.
Truly, October 20 is a day of celebration for all writers, which includes practically everyone. So go ahead, submit something!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
That's the most awesome title of all time.
ReplyDeleteSo will I see you at the planning meeting for the Commerce Week on Writing on Wednesday, 9/16 @ 1:00 in the auditorium? :)
ReplyDeleteI really love seeing all the high school classes submitting to the gallery. I would have LOVED to have been included in a National Gallery as a high school student.
ReplyDelete