Writing Marathon Training Continues
On January 2, 2013, this blog announced a brand new concept for readers of Write Nonfiction in November—comparing the month-long November nonfiction writing challenge to a writing marathon. To help nonfiction writers train for the November writing marathon, we created a series of nonfiction writing prompts known formally as the “I Know I Can” Write Nonfiction in November Training Program. Today begins our second month of our writing marathon training program. Are you ready to find out about the February theme and dive into the next writing prompt? Good!
The theme for February is Black History Month. This is a great theme to tackle in nonfiction writing because it forces us to research historical facts, figures, and anecdotes to help us put together a perspective on contemporary issues concerning African Americans. For me, personally, this is a great theme because it is completely outside of my realm of knowledge. I am a Latina, very familiar with Latino social issues, but not as familiar with African American issues. A little bit of research will aid us all in gaining knowledge and understanding and definitely in improving our nonfiction writing!
History Friday
Today marks the first writing prompt in our month-long dedication to Black History Month. Each Friday, you’ll be asked to create a good, strong, polished nonfiction writing piece based on the history of Black History Month. For today’s challenge, we’re starting at the beginning.
Writing Prompt 012
- Step 1: Do basic Internet research and learn about the history of Black History Month. What is it? How did it begin? What is the purpose of instituting this commemoration?
- Step 2: Revisit an important skill you learned in high school—the fine art of paraphrasing. Paraphrase the information you collect about the history of Black History Month and rewrite it in your own, unique style. Determine how this event began and briefly describe how it is celebrated today.
- Bonus Step: If you own a blog and wish to share a link to the blog post that contains your response to today’s writing prompt, we welcome your permalink and encourage you to post it as a comment below!
Please be sure to leave your comments about this writing challenge and prompt below. We want to hear from you!
About the Author
Amanda M. Socci, J.D., is a freelance writer with 14 years of experience writing professionally. Socci currently cuts her blogging chops on her personal portfolio blog, the Creative Idea Gal blog, and on an online news site, Mount Vernon Patch. Inspired by Nina Amir’s Write Nonfiction in November writing challenge, she created a unique 10-month training program for Writenonfictionnow.com and Writenonfictioninnovember.com blog visitors.
Grab the badge of honor and upload it to your blog. Follow the prompts three times a week (M-W-F) right here.
[…] now 20% complete! In the month of January, our theme was pop culture. In February, we worked with Black History Month. Now that we’re in March, we’re turning our attention to our new theme?prayer. Your job is to […]