Presentation by: Keith Mann

“The way of thinking about texts – that they are created by an author for a purpose – lies at the heart of

reading-writing connections.” Calkins, 1994, p. 283

Author’s Craft: Thinking critically to support the reading/writing

connection

What makes a good author?A skilled author uses tools and techniques of

language and storytelling to craft a piece of writing.

Narrative elementsAspects of storytelling that builds the structure of

the storyFiction or nonfictionMake up every story

Literary devicesVary in use depending on author’s specific style

and artistrySome are stylistic and add flairSome are artistic and show personalityAlways conveys meaning

Examples of Narrative elementsCharacterizationSettingPlotThemeConflictPoint of View

Examples of Literary DevicesColloquialismsToneSatireMoodStereotypeAllusionIronyAlliterationParallel structureFigurative languageOnomatopoeia

SimileMetaphorPersonificationHyperboleSymbolismImageryForeshadowingFlashbackUnderstatementDiction

Formats for Teaching Author’s CraftGuided literature conversationsShared reading discussionsRead Aloud

Creating LessonsSelect Touchstone/Mentor Texts to Teach Skill

Wait and Watch Natural Responses to Books

Use excerpts to demonstrate particular qualities you hope your students would strive toward in their writing.

Video

Only when we read and reread a dearly loved text can it affect us so much that it affects even our writing.

“As we return to the book again and again, we find ourselves understanding the author’s message more deeply, the author’s craft more completely.” (Calkins, 1994, p. 279)

Instructional progressionLevel of difficulty of text increases at each grade

levelAreas of focus differs at each grade level

What do students need to know before they can understand author’s craft?Pictures are sources of information that give us clues to

words.The meaning of a story and the text will make sense and have

structure.Print conveys meaning.Pictures usually support the text and that activating their

schema to a storyline will give clues to the meaning of words.Authors use a certain craft to make their reading and writing

more interesting.New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for

Author’s Craft (see handout)

Being Critical ReadersUnderstand choices authors make as writers and

the strategies they apply for particular and intended impact on the reader

Focus is not on the content of the text, but how the writing style, structure and elements of the text work together and how the reader works at interpreting the text.

Reading RiddickGoal is that with growing literacy experience,

students develop implicit and explicit criteria for the evaluation and appreciation of stories.Develop children’s literary tasteStudents become critical readers rather than

passive consumers of texts

AssessmentFocus: to determine if students can explain

the effect of author’s craft on reading and writing and if they can transfer that knowledge to their own reading and writing.Teacher observationClassroom discussions during read aloudReading and writing conferencesLiterature discussionsShared reading discussions

References Calkins, L.M. (1994). The Art of Teaching Writing.

Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Fletcher, R. & Portalupi, J. (1998). Craft Lessons: Teaching

Writing K-8. Portland, ME: Stenhouse. Lewison, M. & Flint, A.S. (2002). Taking on Critical Literacy:

The journey of newcomers and novices. Language Arts. 79(5), 382-392.

Rickards, D. & Hawes, S. (2006). Connecting Reading and Writing Through Author’s Craft. The Reading Teacher. 60(4), 370-373.

Sipe, L.R. & McGuire, C.E. (2006). Young Children’s Resistance to Stories. The Reading Teacher. 60(1), 6-13.

Story, K. & Sneddon, M. (2008). Teach Them How: Analysing author’s craft in middle years literacy classrooms. Practically Primary. 13(1), 40-44.

Wooten, D.A., & Cullinan, B.E. (2009). Children’s Literature in the Reading Program: An invitation to read. Newark, DE: International Reading Association

Children’s Literature to Check Out Jump! From the Life of Michael Jordan by Cooper, F. – biography and

determination The Art Lesson by dePaola, T. – Writers are the ones who make the

decisions about what they will write Josias, Hold the Book by Elvgren, J.R. – Realistic fiction about

struggle and determination, dialogue Rickie & Henri: A True Story by Goodall, J. – true accounts can be

passionate and compelling The Cats in Krasinski Square by Hesse, K. – historical fiction written

in poetic format A Nest Full of Eggs by Jenkins, P.B. – nonfiction, conventions of texts

within scientific animal study Just Like Josh Gibson by Johnson, A. – True stories about Negro

League Baseball Players written to mimic a retelling by the author’s grandmother

Feathers, Flippers, and Feet by Lock, D. – Conventions of nonfiction within scientific animal study

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book by Morales, Y. – counting book written in Spanish and English

Lady Liberty: A Biography by Rappaport, D. – Biographical snippets of people involved with interwoven poetry