Words Matter

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We all have different ideas about who we are and what represents us. Today you'll look more closely at the words that you use to define yourself.

But first I need you to Create a Writer's Notebook:

1. Create a new document in Google Docs. 
2. Name it with your Period# name Writer's Notebook  (i.e.  4 Alyssa Black Writers Notebook)
3. Share it with Ms. Black using her gmail address.

You'll be using this almost every day. Unless the internet breaks. But we're going to pretend that won't happen. You'll need to write today's date on your document to signify your first entry.

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Okay. Now let's get to the real work.

Below is a list of words. It is not a comprehensive list, and that's okay. 

Choose the ten words off of this list that best fit your sense of self and write them in your Writer's Notebook.

Now, add 10 more words to your list that describe how you see yourself at this stage of your life. These may or may not come from this list. 

Last, rank those 20 words based on which words are most important to you in your life.

Making Predictions and Asking Questions:

The last thing you're going to do today is to reflect on the language you've chosen to describe yourself with, and to consider the significance of it. This goal is to be able to make predictions and develop ideas about what you'll need to do to best represent yourself in your personal statement. In your Writer's Notebook, answer the following questions:

• Why did you rank your words as you did?
• What do your words tell you about your opinion of yourself in terms of readiness for work or college?
• What would someone who knows you well think of the words you chose?
• Based on your analysis, predict what you will need to do learn more about to achieve your goals.
• Predict how well your words/concepts will work for you as you move into the next stage of your life. For example, if one of your words is "stubborn," how do you think that will work for or against you in the future?

Homework: (It's not that bad, I promise.)

Find someone you trust and show them or share with them your list of words.

Ask them what they think of your choices, and ask them to share their thoughts about how you've defined yourself. 

This may be difficult, and that's okay. Listen (without talking or interrupting), and jot down some notes about how people perceive your words and choices. You may even write down your opinion of what others said.

It's never a bad time to ask for more perspectives on concepts such as these words represent. It is difficult to represent yourself to others if you don't have a solid sense of who you are and what you believe about yourself.