Brenda Quintanilla is a rising 3L at UC Davis School of Law (King Hall). She graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California in 2019 with a BA in Political Science and Chicanx-Latinx Studies. During her time at LMU, Brenda was part of the First to Go Scholars Program, the Intercultural Facilitator Program, M.E.Ch.A., Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Inc., Belles Service Organization, and the Associated Students of Loyola Marymount University (ASLMU).
You will learn how to draw a community map and use it to assess the assets and needs of your community.
STEP 1 First, watch the video. Then, answer this question in your writing journal: “Why do you think strong writing skills are important in advocacy work? And what are the benefits to understanding the writing process as a whole?” STEP 2 A community map is a drawing of the streets and landmarks around you. Decide whether you’d like to focus on the community around your home or school. Then, draw a map of that area. Label the following community assets on your map: physical assets, cultural assets, and institutional assets. Use the print or digital copy of your map if...
by 826 National
Writers are guided by their personal and artistic values as they work to achieve their goals. But what are those values built on? In this lesson, you will discover that for yourself.
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 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
Radiologist Matthew Bucknor shares while it's important for students studying STEM fields "not to sleep on the Humanities."
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 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 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 Sean Prentiss
Essayist, poet, and National Outdoor Book Award winner Sean Prentiss shares his favorite way to develop the setting of a story or essay as a fully formed character.
by 826 National
Television writer and showrunner Tim McKeon shares how you can study your favorite TV show to learn about screenwriting.
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 Jason Reynolds
Part letter, part long-form poem, "For Every One" offers reflections and courageous words about unraveling and rebuilding one's dreams.
by 826 National
Television writer and showrunner Tim McKeon shares how he became a scriptwriter and the valuable skills you'll need if you'd like to become one too.
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 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 Lila Coffey, Grade 10, MA
Lila Coffey addresses her fears for women and children, in her poem addressed to the next President of the United States. Viewer disecretion is advised.
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
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 build your confidence as a writer by battling the page on a consistent basis.
by 826 National
In this lesson, you will learn a strategy for writing down your thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly.
by Isabella Baldisseri, Grade 10, OR
Isabella Baldisseri reads her original piece of writing—a letter to the next President of the United States—addresssing her concerns about Palestine. Viewer discretion is advised.
by 826 National, featuring Priyanna Kumar Singhania, Grade 8
In this lesson, you will write down a story that’s been passed down to you, using precise words and phrases and sensory language, to convey a vivid picture of the event.
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 Sean Prentiss
Essayist, poet, and National Outdoor Book Award winner Sean Prentiss shares 5 techniques to use when writing scenes.
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.
by 826 National and Life Stories
You will write a “soundscape” poem filled with familiar sounds of your neighborhood or home.
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
Senior Business Development Manager Erin Polgreen shares more about the ways she sees LinkedIn users engaging with writing on the platform.
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.