Back in secondary school, while trying to conquer chinese composition writing, I found myself memorizing model essays. No, I'm not kidding. It really did happen, and upon the advice of my well-meaning teacher. And, I know I'm not the only one who had that experience. Certain phrases plastered themselves to the wall of my consciousness, and I found myself recycling those phrases in my own compositions again, and again, and again. Upon reading some of the literature on using mentor texts in writing instruction, I can't help but wonder if my frustration with writing chinese compositions would have been any less, if only my teachers had given me more guidance than just leave things to osmosis. The intention made sense: model compositions could serve as mentor texts, from which students learn the tricks of the trade from effective writers. The problem is that this could be somewhat like giving me an oboe, a CD of oboe music, without lessons on how to play the oboe.
With explicit instruction, students can be taught how they can use mentor texts to sharpen their writing skills. One great resource which explores how teachers can do this is Katie Wood Ray's 'Wondrous Words'. Here, I'd like to share her framework for teaching students how to 'read like writers'.
5 Parts to Reading like a Writer
- Notice something about the craft of the text
- Talk about it and make a theory about why a writer might use this craft
- Give the craft a name
- Think of other texts you know. Have you seen this craft before?
- Try and envision using this craft in your own writing
I would go so far as to suggest that there should be a step 6: Go ahead and use the craft in your own writing, boldly.
Additional resource: Readwritethink has a collection of lesson plans designed by teachers using principles from Ray's book, here. Have fun exploring!
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