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The Truth is what matters when we write. (The “T” is capitalized for a reason.)

Stacey Shubitz
  • Ruth and I have were recently talking about the truth in our writing. We both recognized that honesty matters when we write. Writing is empty and vacant without the expression of honest emotions, isn’t it?
  • Yesterday, when I met up with my former student, Elaine, and her family we talked about having writing territories and writing with meaning. After all, I told her, if you are not writing with meaning, then what’s the point.
    “There isn’t one,” Elaine said in a soft voice.
    “Exactly!” I said banging my open palm on the table.
  • Today, when I was asked what the biggest thing I’ve learned about writing (recently) is, I responded with: “If you don’t write the truth, then your writing is pointless and without meaning.”
  • I’m not talking about telling the exact truth with regard to making sure that every detail in a narrative is precisely correct and true to the way it happened in reality. That’s impossible, especially if the event you’re writing about happened a long time ago. Instead, I’m talking about our topic choice and the essence of what we write on paper. If we aren’t truthful with our topics, then the stories we tell will lack meaning and will cause our readers to disconnect with them, no matter how “well-written” they actually are.

    • So, I’ll end with my quote, that I’m reformulating slightly. I think it will become my new mantra in my Writing Workshop this fall:

    “If we don’t write the Truth, then our writing is pointless and without meaning.”

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    Published by Stacey Shubitz

    Stacey Shubitz is a K-6 literacy consultant and former elementary teacher. She is the author of CRAFT MOVES and other professional books on writing workshop. Her forthcoming book, MAKE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WORK FOR YOUR CHILD WITH DISABILITIES (Guilford Press, 2026), empowers parents to navigate the special education system.

    6 thoughts on “The Truth is what matters when we write. (The “T” is capitalized for a reason.)”

    1. As i was reading “Birches” by Robert Frost I noticed something. On line 21, Frost capitalizes the word “Truth”. my first thought was that it was a person, but the poem is about nature. Why would Robert Frost capitalize “Truth”? Can you answer my question? Thanks.

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