ERIC Number: ED267409
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1985-Nov
Pages: 15
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Tracing the Narrative "I": Using a Prose Model as Guide to Student Writing.
Magistrale, Tony
The use of a Jonathan Schwartz essay as a prose model to teach writing lends itself appropriately to classroom discussions on various aspects of autobiography and general narrative design. Such use has proved to be particularly helpful with young writers because of its deceptively simple style and language and its use of a variety of sophisticated composing skills. The essay can serve as stimulus for class discussion to generate insights about the essay's style and structure and to explore the reasons for using prose models to improve student writing. An examination of a student essay shows the effects of Schwartz's prose, particularly the use of vivid and appropriate detailing and stylistic experimentation. Schwartz's emphasis on language style and on the importance of writing as a vehicle for self-knowledge helps composition classes become more conscious of these principles and more interested in integrating them into their own work. (Schwartz's essay and a sample student essay are included.) (EL)
Publication Type: Guides - Classroom - Teacher; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Teachers; Practitioners
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Council of Teachers of English (75th, Philadelphia, PA, November 22-27, 1985).