Writing across the genres isn't the apples and oranges ordeal some of our students make it out to be.
In fact, if students are given a fantastic set of heuristics, they will readily see that the manner in which they tackle a poetry analysis is the exact same methodological approach as short-stories, novels, and plays.
Literary analysis is literary analysis, regardless of genre.
So ... in today's writing workshop video, I start with a blank canvas and "paint" an analysis of Raymond Carver's "Cathedral" from start to finish.
Beginning with the introductory paragraph, I model extensively how to pull the strings of my inverted thesis heuristic.
From here, we grapple with the syllogistic method and cobble together the body paragraphs.
I even "paint" a few conclusions using some of our favorite stems.
Over the next few weeks, I plan on making a video series highlighting this uniform compositional approach featuring a few of my favorite short stories (on the recording docket, I have workshops for "Death by Scrabble," "The Yellow Wallpaper," and "The Lottery.")
Between the dual process of "Bob Ross-ing" my instruction and equipping my students with these heuristics, the process of writing is slowly beginning to get demystified, even for my more reluctant learners.
Happy teaching and happy writing!
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