What better way to develop strong young writers but by having them carefully imitate the writing style of great authors from the past? Imitatio was a method employed from the Ancient World onward with young Greek and Roman children copying essays from the great Isocrates or Demosthenes.
In America, our history lessons show us that Benjamin Franklin and Jack London (and many more) learned to write by painstakingly copying the prose of others. To use with young students today, choose sentences from good writers like C.S. Lewis or E.B. White to imitate. First have small children copy word for word a short paragraph from The Chronicles of Narnia, Charlotte's Web or another favorite book.
Fern came slowly down the stairs. Her eyes were red from crying. As she approached her chair, the carton wobbled, and there was a scratching noise. Fern looked at her father. Then she lifted the lid of the carton. There, inside, looking up at her, was the newborn pig. It was a white one. The morning light shone through its ears, turning them pink. E.B. White, Charlotte's Web
When the student copies the author's paragraph, he's learning spelling, punctuation, proper grammar and vocabulary. He's copying clear writing; these are all skills he'll use in his own original writing. Next, have the young writer change the characters or setting and using the author's original style, rewrite the paragraph.
Student Imitation: Jeremy came reluctantly out the front door. His eyes were still crusty from sleeping. As he approached the red scrubby bush, the leaves quaked, there was a rustling noise. Jeremy looked closer. Then he parted the branches. There, underneath, fearfully looking up at him was the baby armadillo, white and awkward looking. The fear of being discovered seemed to leave the baby animal frozen like a statue.
Student ability to imitate develops as they mature. Examples to imitate are endless and can strengthen adult writing as well. Possible adult imitatios include John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath turtle crossing the road or Lew Wallace's Joppa Gate description in Ben Hur. By imitating the writing of outstanding authors, eyes, hands, and minds are shaped and developed.
October 25, 2005, 7:51 am
In America, our history lessons show us that Benjamin Franklin and Jack London (and many more) learned to write by painstakingly copying the prose of others. To use with young students today, choose sentences from good writers like C.S. Lewis or E.B. White to imitate. First have small children copy word for word a short paragraph from The Chronicles of Narnia, Charlotte's Web or another favorite book.
Fern came slowly down the stairs. Her eyes were red from crying. As she approached her chair, the carton wobbled, and there was a scratching noise. Fern looked at her father. Then she lifted the lid of the carton. There, inside, looking up at her, was the newborn pig. It was a white one. The morning light shone through its ears, turning them pink. E.B. White, Charlotte's Web
When the student copies the author's paragraph, he's learning spelling, punctuation, proper grammar and vocabulary. He's copying clear writing; these are all skills he'll use in his own original writing. Next, have the young writer change the characters or setting and using the author's original style, rewrite the paragraph.
Student Imitation: Jeremy came reluctantly out the front door. His eyes were still crusty from sleeping. As he approached the red scrubby bush, the leaves quaked, there was a rustling noise. Jeremy looked closer. Then he parted the branches. There, underneath, fearfully looking up at him was the baby armadillo, white and awkward looking. The fear of being discovered seemed to leave the baby animal frozen like a statue.
Student ability to imitate develops as they mature. Examples to imitate are endless and can strengthen adult writing as well. Possible adult imitatios include John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath turtle crossing the road or Lew Wallace's Joppa Gate description in Ben Hur. By imitating the writing of outstanding authors, eyes, hands, and minds are shaped and developed.