Based on readings and teachings by Katie Wood Ray Kim Buice Looking at Close Study Based on readings and teachings by Katie Wood Ray Kim Buice

“I learned how to write from writers “I learned how to write from writers. I didn’t know any personally, but I read.” Cynthia Rylant “I say that the way one learns to write is by reading – and developing a passion for language used in meaningful ways.” Lois Lowry

What is Close Study? A step in the inquiry process of teaching writing A time to “develop some shared understandings and language to name the qualities of good writing you’ve seen in the texts.” Study Driven p. 128

Questions to ask during close study Which parts are particularly good? What’s happening with the writing of these parts? How is the piece organized? What are the “chunks” of it? How does the piece move from one chunk to the next? Does it move through time or is it a list of ideas? Look closely at the lead and the ending – how does the writer manage these two critical chunks of the piece?

More questions for close study How has the writer focused the piece? What’s included, and what has likely been left out? What different modes of writing operate in the piece (description, exposition, narration, etc.)? Is there any interesting punctuation work in the piece?

And even more questions Any insights about how page-break (in picture books) or paragraph-break decisions were made? How do graphics, illustrations, layout, font, etc. add to the meaning and appeal of the piece? How does the title of the piece relate to the meaning? How was it likely chosen?

Let’s try it! Importance of reading aloud and seeing the text Also key about learning about the author

personification’ Simile Sentence variation Stream of consciousness Point of view - shifts Conventions Imagery

Let’s try it again – with a very different type of writing

“Show me the text!” In Closing Katie Wood Ray, July 2009 Add Craig Wilson’s piece here

References Ray, Katie Wood. Study Driven: A Framework for Planning Units of Study in the Writing Workshop. Portsmouth, NH, Heinemann, 2006. Rylant, Cynthia. Snow. Orlando, FL, Harcourt, 2008. Wilson, Craig. “Guess who I bumped into today? Maybe you.” USA Today