ALISTAR BEDELL is someone who is always looking for the art inside of things. They almost always have an earbud in for music just to give life a bit more beauty. They’ve written and performed songs and always enjoy sharing their own personal writing with others. They truly believe that if the world had a little more creative expression in it, then the world could be so much better and life could be easier and we as people could connect better.
Congratulations to 826 Digital Writers’ Showcase Finalist, Alistar Bedell! Watch their video and see the lesson below to learn how to write your own ironic poem or narrative. Read more about Alistar and the other Writers’ Showcase finalists at www.826national.org/826-digital-writers-showcase-2023-finalists
STEP 1 First, watch the video and follow along with the Mentor Text on page 1 of the Ironic Narratives — Handout. Then, answer these prompts in your writing journal: “In your own words, define irony. What is ironic about this poem?” STEP 2 Irony is a narrative technique that contrasts reality with what the audience expects will happen. There are 3 basic types of irony: dramatic, situational, and verbal irony. Follow the directions on page 2 of the handout to learn more about these types. STEP 3 Next, you will prepare to write your imaginary scene. A scene is...
by Jason Reynolds
National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and NYT Bestselling Author, Jason Reynolds, joined 826 students for a conversation on his video project, "For Every One."
by Javier Zamora, 826 Valenica alumni and New York Times bestselling author
Author Javier Zamora invites you to raise your voice and write to the next President of the United States.
by 826 National and Life Stories
In this lesson, you will learn about Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Lewis’s life, an idea she calls “fierce-love,” and the importance of learning to love yourself.
by 826 National and Life Stories
Stories can bridge our past to our future—but only if we build them. In this lesson, you will reflect on a story from your personal history that you think others could learn from.
by Robin Reid Drake, 826CHI
826CHI Teaching Artist, Robin Reid Drake, shares an original writing prompt that encourages students to borrow lines from their favorite pieces of writing and then remix them into something new.
by 826 National and Life Stories
Songwriters are powerful storytellers. Their lyrics can connect us, uplift us, and even heal us. In this lesson, you’ll identify a story of your own and turn it into original song lyrics.
by 826 National
In this lesson, you will learn a strategy for writing down your thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly.
by Amy Dupcak, 826NYC
Writer and teaching artist with 826NYC, Amy Dupcak, shares a memoir writing prompts that helps students use specific sensory language to describe a place they love.
by 826 National
Senior Business Development Manager Erin Polgreen shares more about the ways she sees LinkedIn users engaging with writing on the platform.
by Natalie Moore
In this lesson, you will use journal entries as inspiration for a dynamic narrative poem.
by Austin Bunn
Fiction writer, playwright, and screenwriter Austin Bunn shares a writing prompt that will get you noticing--and reimagining--the objects you see everyday.
by Jason Reynolds
Part letter, part long-form poem, "For Every One" offers reflections and courageous words about unraveling and rebuilding one's dreams.
by Cristeta Boarini, 826 MSP
Journalist and 826 MSP staffer, Cristeta Boarini, shares a poetry prompt that walks students through using shapes to convey meaning.
by 826 National
In this lesson, you will build your confidence as a writer by battling the page on a consistent basis.
by Mychal Threets, librarian and literacy ambassador
Librarian and literacy ambassador Mychal Threets invites you to write about your feelings, your way with four writing prompts to explore your emotions on the page.
by 826 National and Life Stories
In this lesson, you will hear about the life and art of Reginald Dwayne Betts and write a poem that captures a meaningful moment from your everyday life.
by 826 National
Revision is the process of making substantial changes in your writing. In this lesson, you will use revision strategies to strengthen a current piece of writing you’re working on.
by 826 National
Nicole Dungca, Investigative Reporter at The Washington Post and President of the Asian American Journalists Association, shares strategies for asking key questions.
by 826 National and Life Stories
You will write a “soundscape” poem filled with familiar sounds of your neighborhood or home.
by Amanda Gorman
Presidential Inaugural Poet, activist, and bestselling author Amanda Gorman shares one of her favorite techniques for starting a poem or getting over writers' block.