Why Teach Writing---And How by Donald Murray

Murray continues to elaborate on how necessary writing is in our electronic and modern age.  He lists seven reasons why writing is so important and relevant in today’s society.  His basic message is that we create meaning and discover meaning in our lives through the written word; we are not just reporting it with mechanical clarity.  We are living the writing as we do it.

Murray speaks very vividly about writing as an honest act of self-discovery.  Students learn to unravel themselves through writing; it is a process of discovery that can lead one to eternal truths if that is what one is seeking.  He talks about the pre-writing, writing and rewriting that is essential for all writing projects. 

Murray creates a space for us to meditate on what is important and relevant to students today.  He says that in the electronic age, writing is even MORE important because there are so many different modes and levels of communication going on that we must learn how to communicate effectively with words.  Writing is not going out of style and it never will.  










     1.  Murray, Donald M. "Why Teach Writing--And How?" The English Journal  62.9 (1973): 1234-1237. Print.