On vacation

This blog won't be updated again until January 3, 2010. Enjoy your break, if you have one.

Testing, testing...

You wouldn’t be alone if you thought that the companies that score standardized tests have machines that can whip out the results in no time.

But they don’t, at least not for tests with questions that require a written response.
Instead, they hire tens of thousands of temporary workers, who are paid by the hour (often about $11 to $13 per), to decipher the answers of millions of kids from third to twelfth grade. They are often poorly trained and overworked. (Valerie Strauss at The Answer Sheet)

Thoughts?

Getting started

Even if you are not a professional writer you probably already heard about writing prompts. They represent a very effective tool for any writing project, so it’s a good idea to know how to use them. (from Daily Writing Tips)

The Red River Valley Writing Project is no stranger to writing prompts; in fact, each morning of the invitational summer institute begins with a prompt.

Certainly you can make up your own prompt, in effect, give yourself a kind of writing assignment.
You can also check out the linked piece above to read more about prompts. And the piece includes online resources for prompts.

Thoughts?

First off....the test post wasn't supposed to stay published. Still, let's think of it as a bit of a trial balloon. How so?

Goodreads, the popular social media app that allows people to connect over books, has a function that makes it possible for book reviews from the site to be added to a website or blog. All you have to do is paste a bit of code in the correct spot and you've got a review....a picture of the book to boot.

So....Red River Valley Writing Project types, what are your thoughts on reviews of professional books here at this blog? In particular, would any of you consider writing such reviews? If so, post a comment to this post.