9:00 AM  -  10:15 PM 

Introduction - Creative thinking and the composing of ideas
In this opening presentation Jamie stresses the importance of familiarizing all students with the stages of creative thought and engages the group in activities that illustrate this process:

• Preparation
• Incubation
• Frustration
• Intimation
• Illumination or insight
• Verification

He points out that much writing actually takes place mentally away from paper or a laptop screen -- the composing of ideas -- and he strsses the importance of making sure that all students understand and cultivate this facility.


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10:15 - 10:45
Morning Tea

10:45 - 11:30
Composing sentences and paragraphs
Jamie likens this process, transforming ideas into sentences and paragraphs, to stringing beads. Each sentence you craft is like a necklace of beads or pearls.



Because the effective creation and communication of ideas is the priority, there are six elements of style worthy of emphasis: Flow - Impact - Clarity - Balance - Sufficiency - Coherence, all of which Jamie will illustrate for the group.

11:30 - 12:30
Finding the right word


There will be some consideration of words as you put together your first sentences and paragraphs, but it is sufficient to compose sentences with words that are serviceable. Clarity is more important in the early stages than impact. But even later, "serviceable" is a good way to think about these choices. There is little to be gained and much to be lost by indulging in flamboyance.

In this hour we will explore a half dozen aspects of word choice that will prove valuable:

• Bridging words
• Serviceable words
• Mood words
• Descriptive words
• Action words
• Logical words

12:30 - 1:30 PM
Lunch
A hot buffet lunch will be served.

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Building a case -- Solving a problem

During this hour, Jamie will outline strategies that will equip students to build a case or solve a problem.

To persuade your reader or an audience that you have a sound case against someone or in favor of something, you must amass convincing evidence and then present it with compelling logic.

In many cases, you will not reach your decision or formulate a position until after you have conducted considerable research with an open mind. While you may have inklings as you begin your research, you will not let your preconceptions blind you to new evidence and new understandings.

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Telling a story -- Defining character

During this hour, Jamie will outline strategies that will equip students to tell a story or define the charater of a person, a town or something worthy of analysis.



The group will consider how best to combine elements such as theme, characters, plot, point of view, and style so as to produce a story that is captivating.

In this hour, you will also explore the challenge of defining the character of a city, a writer and a restaurant. These three are used as examples to illustrate the thought process that will produce a winning document. Character is an issue running through much that matters. It is worthy of careful analysis.

After considering these three thinking and writing tasks, you will be well prepared to identify and describe the character of many other institutions ranging from banks and utilities to hospitals and symphony orchestras.