The Power of Mentor Texts North Carolina Department of Public Instruction ELA Section

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The Power of Mentor TextsNorth Carolina
Department of Public InstructionELA Section
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Nobody but a reader ever became a
writer. - Richard Peck
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What are Mentor Texts?

• A mentor text is any piece of writing that can be
  used to teach a writer about some aspect of
  writers craft.
• The best mentor texts are those that can be used
  numerous times throughout the school year to
  demonstrate many different characteristics of a
  text. (ideas, structure, written craft)

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• The simple rhythm of copying
• someone elses words gets us into
• the rhythm of writing, then
• you begin to feel your own
• words.
• -William Forrester, Finding Forrester

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Ways to use mentor texts
Idea the text inspires the writer to create an
original idea based on one from the
text. Structure the text presents on
organizational structure that the writer tries to
emulate using original ideas. Written Craft the
authors writing style, ways with words, or
sentence structure inspires the writer to try out
these techniques.
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Steal Like an Artist

• Nobody is born with a style or a voice. We
  dont come out of the womb knowing who we are.
  In the beginning, we learn by pretending to be
  our heroes. We learn by copying.
• Were talking about practice here, not plagiarism
  plagiarism is trying to pass someone elses
  work off as your own. Copying is about
  reverse-engineering. Its like a mechanic taking
  apart a car to see how it works.
• -Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon

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Steps to Using Mentor Texts

• Select a text to emulate and reread one that
  inspires an idea, models a structure, or
  demonstrates an authors craft worth trying.
• Read it (Read like a reader)
• Analyze it (Read like a writer)
• Emulate it (Write like the writer)
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  - adapted from Kelly Gallagher

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Read Like a Writer

• What does it mean?
• Read to identify the choices the author made so
  you can better understand how these choices might
  arise in your own writing.
• Reading to learn about writing

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When you read like a writer you notice

• Word choice
• Sentence structure
• Organization
• And
• What questions would you ask as a writer?

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When you read like a writer Annotate and Read
Closely
When you read like a writer Annotate and Read
Closely
When you read like a writer Annotate and Read
Closely

• Underline and highlight the passage in the text
  itself and ask yourself
• What is the technique the author is using here?
• Is this technique effective?
• What would be the advantages and disadvantages if
  I tried this same technique in my own writing?

• Read with a pen or highlighter in hand
• Make comments in the margins
• Write yourself notes and summaries
• Look for patterns

• Read with a pen or highlighter in hand
• Make comments in the margins
• Write yourself notes and summaries
• Look for patterns

• Read with a pen or highlighter in hand
• Make comments in the margins
• Write yourself notes and summaries
• Look for patterns

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Structure Example using a mentor text
Walk Around in the Authors Syntax From The
Whales Song by Dyan Sheldon
There, enormous in the ocean, were the whales.
They leapt and jumped and spun across the moon.
Example There, tiny in the nest, were the
baby robins. They screeched and squirmed and
opened their beaks wide for their dinner. Try
it out
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Choosing a Mentor Text

• Quality vs. Quantity
• No longer a mile wide and an inch deep
• Having the end in mind
• You have to love it
• Worthy of rereading!

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Questions to Consider

1. Does the book provide examples of the kind of
   writing you want from your students?
2. Can it be revisited multiple times for a number
   of purposes?
3. Do you have a variety of genres do they address
   diversity?

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What Now?

• Look through your favorite texts.
• Separate them out as idea, craft or structure
  mentor texts.
• Make sure you have mentor texts that cover all
  three categories.
• Begin creating and exploring lessons using mentor
  texts.

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Mentor Text Resources

• Creating Successful Writers with Mentor Texts
  http//www.reading.org/downloads/53rd_conv_handout
  s/mentor_texts_cappelli_dorfman.pdf
• Mentor Text for the Traits of Writing
  http//www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/mentor-
  texts-traits-writing
• Teacher 2 Teacher What are mentor texts?
  http//www.teacher2teacherhelp.com/writing-strateg
  ies/what-are-mentor-texts/
• How to Use Mentor Text to Teach Writing
  http//www.ehow.com/how_8216119_use-mentor-texts-t
  each-writing.html
• Teach Mentor Texts http//www.teachmentortexts.c
  om
• Corbitt Harrison http//corbettharrison.com/docum
  ents/7Elements/7Elements_Mentor_Texts_WritingFix.p
  df
• Teaching with Mentor Texts http//pinterest.com/n
  willi/teaching-with-mentor-text/

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Contact Information
Julie Joslin, Ed.D. Section Chief English Language Arts 919-807-3935 Julie.Joslin_at_dpi.nc.gov Anna Lea Frost, M.Ed. 6-8 English Language Arts Consultant 919-807-3952 Anna.Frost_at_dpi.nc.gov
Lisa McIntosh, MSA K-5 English Language Arts Consultant 919-807-3895 Lisa.Llewellyn_at_dpi.nc.gov Angie Stephenson 9-12 English Language Arts 919-807-3833 Angela.Stephenson_at_dpi.nc.gov Kristi Day, M.Ed. K-5 English Language Arts 919-807-3928 Kristi.Day_at_dpi.nc.gov