ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on motivating young writers, helping them find pleasure in writing as they use it for their own purposes and communicate with voice and verve. It argues that a creative approach to teaching literacy has been found to be highly motivating. Potent tools are motivating and engaging child writers. Writing takes time and involves experience, reflection and evaluation, so the process of composition needs to be an extended one, encompassing considerable discussion and exploration as young writers play their way thoughtfully forward. The power of texts and creative contexts that tempt young writers to engage and play with ideas are profiled, as well as the importance of teaching skills in meaningful contexts and the creative involvement of teachers as writers. Inviting children to take part in creative contexts in order to generate ideas through talking, drama and exploration of different media helps shape their ongoing and later writing.
