Writing Connections Worksheet

Text to Self Connection

Name:

Date:

📖 The Extract

"At school I had never been much good at writing. I could never think of what to write or how to begin. But on the Peggy Sue I found I could open up my log and just write. There was always so much I wanted to say..."

🔍 Part 1: Understanding the Connection

1. The narrator says they "could never think of what to write or how to begin." Have you ever felt this way about writing? Circle your answer:

Yes, often

Sometimes

No, I usually find it easy to start

2. What does the narrator find different about writing on the Peggy Sue compared to writing at school? Tick all the ideas you think are true:

They had more exciting things to write about

No one was marking or judging their writing

They were writing for themselves, not for a teacher

They had more time to write

3. Think about a time when you found it hard to start writing. What made it difficult? Describe it below:

4. Have you ever been in a situation — like the narrator on the Peggy Sue — where you suddenly felt you had lots to say or write about? What was happening at that time?

💭 Part 2: Reflect and Respond

5. The narrator writes in a log (like a diary or journal) while on a boat. Do you think writing privately — just for yourself — feels different to writing for school? Why or why not?

6. What kinds of writing do you enjoy most? Tick any that apply:

Stories and fiction

Diary or journal entries

Letters or messages to friends

Reports or factual writing

Poetry

I don't enjoy any writing

7. The narrator says "there was always so much I wanted to say." What do you have a lot to say about? List 2–3 topics you could write about easily:

1. _____________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________

✏️ Part 3: Your Writing Task

8. Imagine you are keeping a log or journal, just like the narrator on the Peggy Sue. Write a short journal entry (4–6 sentences) about a real or imagined experience where you felt inspired or had lots to say. Use the sentence starter below if it helps:

Sentence starter: "I never thought I'd have so much to write about, but today..."