Q is for Quote-Worthy Quotes

Welcome to my 2020 Blogging A-Z April Challenge. Each day, I will post a brief Journal On! Daily Writers’ Workshops lesson and prompt. Teachers, parents, and students may use the material to encourage daily writing practice, spark insight, and embrace mindful reflection.   

Quotes are everywhere. There are many thoughtful quotes decorating walls and home screens. Inspiring quotes remind us to be mindful, truthful, and kind. Writers use humor, common sense, and recall to come up with memorable quotes. You can find a treasure trove of these gems by simply Googling quotes. 

Even with the millions of quotes available to use, we find ourselves using the quotes we repeatedly heard during our youth. Most are cautionary, like “Don’t make me come over there!”. Some inspire reflection, “You can, but you may not.” While others are wise mottos, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything.” The familiar sayings “stick” and pass on from one generation to the next. We grow up only to sound like our parents. 

Think about the repeated sayings you frequently hear. What do they mean to you?    

Have you heard these?

1. Primary Prompt: Pick a saying you hear your mom or dad, teacher or grandma  say. Perhaps there is a familiar one in the above table. Draw a picture of what the quote would look like if it really happened. For instance, draw yourself melting in the rain for “You’re not sugar; you won’t melt.”
2. Intermediate: Is there a favorite quote you hear all of the time. Who says it? Why? What does it mean to you? What do you do when you listen to it? Do you have a quote you use or made up? Write about the quote.
3. Upper-Intermediate: Pick a familiar quote. Make up a story that explains the quote or has the occasion to use the quote. Let your imagination take the story to silly or outrageous situations.

Until tomorrow, Everyone.