This Lesson's Title:

Giving Voice to Opposites

voice descriptors inspire two opposite monologues

This lesson was built for WritingFix after being proposed by NNWP Teacher Consultant Denise Boswell at an SBC-sponsored inservice class.

The ideal "mentor text" that can be used when teaching this on-line lesson is the picture book I am the Dog I am the Cat by Donald Hall. Before writing, students should listen to and discuss the writing style of this book's author.

Click here to view this book at Amazon.com.

If you are a Washoe County teacher, click here to search for this book at the county library.

Three-Sentence Overview of this Lesson:

The writer will choose two opposite characters  who might exchange monologues about a topic that both have a familiarity with, just as Hall does in I am the Dog I am the Cat.  Before putting pen to paper, the writer will decide on a voice descriptor for each character.  While writing, the writer will attempt to show the voice descriptor to the reader, instead of just telling the reader what it is; student writers will enjoy sharing their monologues orally and having their audience guess what their voice descriptors were. Teachers: Click here to see the entire lesson plan.

6-Trait Overview for this Lesson:

The focus trait in this writing assignment is voice; the writer is attempting to convey two opposites' emotions or feelings through the monologues.  The support trait in this assignment is idea development; showing what the voice descriptor is (instead of telling) requires the students to use more interesting and thoughtful details.