This is a school-wide lesson for Minarets High, a 21st century high school located in North Fork, CA. Created by Matt Powers.

1. The Rough & Pol!h

2. The Traditional Assignment

3. The Traditional Assignment
The assignment is on
the board. It is due in 2
weeks. Good luck.

5. The Rough (Draft)

7. Every song you’ve ever heard started as a rough.

9. Every book you read started out as an idea.

11. Every movie was once a pitch.

13. The Rough is how we start great things.

15. The Rough & Polish way:
The Rough is due Friday & I’ll
get you my notes by Monday.

17. Then we
polish
and
rough
and
polish
and
make something
AMAZING!

19. That’s how the pros do it.

21. So Polish it up.
Share it with a colleague.
Read it aloud.
Podcast it.
Listen back.
Put on your critique hat.
Take time from it completely
and come back with fresh eyes.

23. Making a movie takes a lot of “takes”.

25. Making a readable and insightful
essay takes draft upon draft.

27. Mastering any craft or skill
takes practice.

29. The Rough is a sketch
or draft of an idea,
paper, movie, song,
etc. It is an exchange
with no judgements on
the little things. It’s
the big picture.

31. Polish is revision, editing,
rewriting, remixing,mashing-
up, practicing, rethinking,
& reshooting.

33. These two concepts will propel
you through life & all your
endeavors towards success.