Beyond Literary Analysis: Teaching Students to Write with Passion and Authority about Any Text

by Allison Marchetti, Rebekah O'Dell

Overview

Allison Marchetti and Rebekah O’Dell invite you to join them on a transformational journey.  Out of the dark tunnel of boring literary analysis assignments, they lead you into a world where students learn to write fresh, compelling, authentic arguments based on their own unique interests.  “There is a place for analysis of literature in our classrooms,” they write.  “But we think there is more.  In this book, we invite you to explore your teaching of analytical writing from a new perspective. To open your mind to the real world of analytical writing, and challenge traditional notions about what students should be analyzing and how they should write it.”

Allison and Rebekah offer a broadened definition of analysis for the 21st century classroom.  “Analysis is everywhere,” they argue. “It’s about video games and athletes’ seasons, and the latest album, or the new Netflix series.”  This new definition of “text” allows students to tap into their passions—and learn to write with expertise on topics that matter to them.  “No matter where your students begin as writers—full of confidence or full of avoidance—unleashing them to explore the topics and texts they are passionate about can transform your classroom and transform their writing.”

With samples throughout the book, you’ll see what students of all levels and experiences can do when they’re supported with mentor texts, targeted writing instruction, and the opportunity to write beyond literary analysis.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780325092492
Publisher:	Heinemann
Publication date:	01/22/2018
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	397,487
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Allison Marchetti is coauthor—with Rebekah O'Dell—of Writing with Mentors and Beyond Literary Analysis. Their popular blog Moving Writers focuses on writing instruction in middle and high school classrooms with an emphasis on voice and authenticity. Traveling the country to work with teachers and students provides constant inspiration as they help educators do the hard-and-transformative work of teaching real writing.

Allison has taught middle and high school English in both public and independent schools in Richmond, Virginia. Her favorite moments in the classroom happen at students’ desks, thinking and reading and writing beside them.

Grades: 6–12

Rebekah O'Dell is coauthor—with Allison Marchetti—of Writing with Mentors and Beyond Literary Analysis. Their popular blog Moving Writers focuses on writing instruction in middle and high school classrooms with an emphasis on voice and authenticity. Traveling the country to work with teachers and students provides constant inspiration as they help educators do the hard-and-transformative work of teaching real writing.

After more than a decade in the high school classroom, Rebekah currently teaches middle school English in Richmond, Virginia. She has experience using the reading and writing workshop model to transform student engagement at all levels, from inclusion classrooms to the International Baccalaureate program.

Grades: 6–12

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Section I Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Analysis in the Wild 5

Passionate, Authentic Analysis: A Mentor Text 5

The How of Analysis That Does So Much More 11

A Bigger Vision for Analysis 13

Chapter 2 Toward a New Understanding of Analysis 16

The Problem with Just Literary Analysis 17

But Isn't Literary Analysis Our Job? 22

Authentic Analysis: Exploring a Bigger World Through Passion 24

The Power of Passion: A Student Example 28

Chapter 3 The Essential Tools of Analysis 34

Sharpen the Focus of Teaching 34

Understand the Tools of Analysis 38

Analysis Is Everywhere, and Your Students Can Write It 41

Section 2 Introduction 43

Chapter 4 Exploring Passion 45

The Problem and the Solution 45

Activities for Exploration and Discovery 46

Classroom Routines to Deepen Passion 52

From Passion to Powerful Writing 60

Chapter 5 Exploring Ideas 61

The Problem and the Solution 62

Activities for Exploration and Discovery 64

Crafting Techniques for Articulating Claims 79

Crafting Techniques for Discussing Evidence 82

Chapter 6 Exploring Structure 89

The Problem and the Solution 89

Activities for Exploration and Discovery 92

Crafting Techniques for Structure 104

Chapter 7 Exploring Authority 129

The Problem and the Solution 129

Activities for Exploration and Discovery 132

Crafting Techniques for Asserting Authority 151

Section 3 Introduction 165

Chapter 8 Movie and Television Analysis 168

What Writers Explore 169

Where You Find It 174

Key Mentors 175

Ideas for Student Writing 177

Chapter 9 Music Analysis 178

What Writers Explore 178

Where You Find It 187

Key Mentors 187

Ideas for Student Writing 189

Chapter 10 Sports Analysis 191

What Writers Explore 191

Where You Find It 200

Key Mentors 200

Ideas for Student Writing 202

Chapter 11 Video Game Analysis 204

What Writers Explore 205

Where You Find It 216

Key Mentors 216

Ideas for Student Writing 218

Chapter 12 Literary Analysis 220

What Writers Explore 221

Where You Find It 233

Key Mentors 234

Ideas for Student Writing 236

Chapter 13 Gathering Your Own Resources 238

Topic Expertise Meets Writing Expertise 239

How to Use What You Find 239

How to Gather Your Own Resources 240

Let's Be Honest 245

References 247