Creative Writing in Historical Geology as an Alternative to the Standard Geologic Report

Abstract

Writing as a way of learning has been extensively discussed in the literature. The nature of writing opportunities available to our students in introductory geology seems to vary with course content and number of students, as well as instructor preference. Formal writing is most typically done as straightforward reports on the geology of an area or on the origin of a particular geologic feature. For some time now, I have wondered whether standard geologic reports are necessary and whether a less narrow approach to formal writing would prove to be just as effective a means of learning. To test this idea, students in introductory historical geology have been given the opportunity to experiment with the format of their final writing assignment on “The geologic history of Saratoga Springs, New York.” Poetry, prose, artwork, or short stories have been made acceptable substitutes for the standard geologic report. Creativity is encouraged, but not required. The results have been enormously positive. Those studen...