Writing Prompts: What Work Is

A stunning tour of how wisdom is gained through work and words. Click on image to see video.

Free Write Prompt

Tell me how you learned what WORK is.  Write for 10 minutes.  Ready?  Go!

Be sure to view Mining Poems or Odes, featuring former shipyard welder who learns his thinking laboratory was always behind the welder's mask. 

Poem Prompt

Where is the most energy in your free write?  Write a poem exploring the ideas you’ve grown up with about work. How did the adults around you show you what work is? Consider how you have carried any part of these lessons into your own life – or into your creative work/ life. 
Adapted from Kim Moore's prompt for the Poetry School.

Example Poems

• What Work Is by Philip Levine
• The Expert by Arielle Greenberg

Something Extra

In the video, Mining Poems or Odes :

• Characterize the relationship between Archie and Robert.  How is it similar or different from the men in "What Work Is" by Philip Levine?
• What is poetry to Robert Fullerton?  What is it to you?
• How is writing, work?
• Which quotes | scenes from the video resonate with you most?
• Which poems have you connected with this past month? 

Click image to see the video.