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Creative Writing Workshop

At WPE, Every Moment Finds Its Place on the Page

BAGO ANG LAHAT

READ PRE-WRITING TIPS. DOWNLOAD THE CHECKLIST.

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Pre-Writing Exercises

CHOOSE A MOST CHERISHED MOMENT. DOWNLOAD THE CHECKLIST TO GUIDE THE FOCUS OF YOUR ESSAY.

WPE-1 Checklist

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THE WORD-FELLOWS WORKSHOP 123

FOLLOW THIS QUICK LEARNING CURVE. TRY NOT TO SKIP THIS STEP. DOWNLOAD THE CHECKLIST. SUBMIT ALL-123 TASK WHEN DONE.

WPE-1 Checklist

Word-Fellows Workshop – WPE 1: Crafting Your Personal Essay

Welcome to Word-Fellows Workshop! WPE-1 helps you begin shaping your personal essay through reflection, detail, and creative expression. The following tasks will guide you, but the time you spend on each depends on you, and the order can be flexible. Use these steps as building blocks rather than strict rules.

Step 1. Develop Your Essay Anchor

Write down a concise anchor idea for your essay. This anchor holds the core of your story in place: what do you want to explore, and why?
Answer the guiding questions provided (topic, purpose, perspective).
Write 2–3 sentences that show why this story matters to you and could matter to readers.

Step 2. Gather the Essentials

Make a list of the basic details of your story: names, places, events, objects, turning points.
Treat this as raw material—you’ll use it to give your essay texture and believability.

Step 3. Read and Learn from Models

Read the assigned personal essay. Notice its structure, tone, and style.
Jot down 3 things this writer does well that you might try in your own work.

Step 4. Do a Close Reading Exercise

Choose a short passage of creative nonfiction (provided or suggested).
Mark how the writer uses imagery, pacing, or reflection.
Write a short paragraph (5–7 sentences) about what you noticed and how you might apply it.

Step 5. Practice the WPE-1 Exercises

Stopping, Looking, Listening
- Take 5–10 minutes to sit quietly. Write 1 page of observations—sounds, movements, feelings, thoughts.
Listing, Naming, Sourcing
- Write a list of at least 15–20 people, objects, or events connected to your story.
- Add one or two details for each (a look, a gesture, a smell, a phrase, etc.).
Image, Nuance, Performance
- Draft a short scene (300–400 words) from your essay using imagery and tone to show not just what happened, but how it felt.
- Read it aloud once. Note where the voice feels strong, and where it needs adjustment.

Step 6. Share and Give Feedback

Post your anchor idea and one exercise draft in the writer-feed.
Comment on at least 2 other writers’ posts with specific observations (e.g., “The image of X stood out because…”).
Revise one section of your work based on feedback.

By the end of WPE-1, you should have:

A clear essay anchor idea
A list of raw material/details
Notes from your reading and close reading
Three short exercises (observation, listing, scene with imagery)
Shared feedback given and received

Remember: you decide how long each step takes and in what order you do them. The workshop is here to guide you, not box you in.

Word-Fellows Workshop - WPE 1

We're excited about your ideas! Let's get started with these first steps in crafting your personal essay. Click on the links below, check off 'done' as you go, and don't hesitate to share your feedback with us!