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Book: Becoming a Teacher Who Writes

Chapter: 9. Balancing Freedom and Structure: The Paradox of Boundaries

DOI: 10.1558/equinox.45160

Blurb:

The thesis of Chapter 9 centers on a paradox: “confronting limits for the human personality actually turn out to be expansive. Limiting and expanding go together.” Chapter 9 demonstrates the “balancing act” of freedom and structure in writing through a series exercises. The author offers “Freedom in Writing” exercises (free writing, flow) and “Boundaries in Free Writing” exercises (non-stop writing, interrupted journal writing). The author also offers “Boundaries in Fiction Writing” (expansion exercise) and “Boundaries in Poetry Writing” (closed form poetry). In “What I Learned,” the author affirms the value of balancing freedom and boundaries as a guiding principle for classroom norms, lessons, and strategies. Chapter 9 concludes with Interdisciplinary Applications for Teachers and Students and a “Balancing Freedom and Structure in Your Discipline” writing prompt.

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