In the spirit of The Declaration of Independence, we’re hosting workshops from this President’s Day to July 4th, inspiring participants to use a range of writing techniques to express truths they “hold to be self-evident,” rights they claim as “unalienable,” and their personal definitions of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Workshops begin with participants introducing themselves by – using only six words — completing the statement, “I hold this truth to be self-evident.”
Participants will be encouraged to express just one specific thought or idea, from silly to serious, earth-shattering to mundane, reflecting the range of cherished beliefs and attitudes. The 6-word requirement reflects the six bold words from the Declaration of Independence “that all men are created equal.”
Workshops (hosted by award-winning writer Constance Alexander) will feature at least 2 opportunities for free-writing based on prompts influenced by the spirit and wording of the Declaration of Independence, and its relevance today, 250 years later.
The culminating activity will be a group exercise that asks participants to share their personal declarations. Those that choose to can be recorded – with a selection of these “personal declarations” broadcasted regionally.