An understanding of author’s craft is vital to a student’s ability to analyze text. But the problem is, what do students really know about craft in writing? Or even the concept of craft in general.
The Short Short Fiction Boot Camp that I use at the beginning of the year in AP Literature is focused on craft. It includes lessons on diction, complexity, detail, syntax, conflict and more. Yet we never really focus on those ideas as craft, just what they are and why they are included in the short stories.
This year, I decided to go at it from a different angle. And the results were incredible.
What is Author’s Craft?
Author crafts are the tools that authors use to compose their work, their art. So I decided that I really wanted to begin the year not only by analyzing specific types of author’s craft which is what we normally do. But also by having the students relate it to areas of life where they themselves might be participating in the use of craft.
I wanted them to think about all aspects of life as containing craft. My hope is that by looking at other forms or art and even at athletes that they would see that craft is not just for authors but that it is universal.
Using Stations to Highlight Author’s Craft
The first day of school, we hopped right in. Our bell ringer for the day was the definition of craft both as a noun and a verb. Students considered things that are craft and areas of their lives where they believe they focus on craft. We jumped into the year with an amazing discussion.
We followed that discussion with stations that had students examine the idea of author craft (musician craft, artist craft) in a variety of genres including fine art, photography and music along with poetry and prose.
The students moved through the stations closely examining images and listening to performances. And they really paid attention to how the artists were using and developing and using their crafts.
Finally, we came back together so that the students could share out and complete an exit ticket. This was an amazing way to start the year. But it would really be great anytime you are interested in a reboot or you want to dive deeper into craft.
Options for Exploring Author’s Craft and More
My students used conventional stations. I had table tents set up in six places around the room. Each station included laminated copies of the prints available for the students to handle and look at closely as they reflected on six universal ideas related to craft as identified by American Craft Magazine.
However, you could use a choice board, a gallery walk or digital stations to accomplish the same goal. I wanted my students up and moving around on this first day of school, but if you are pressed for time, a gallery walk would be a great option.
Exploring Craft in Writing
Once we completed the stations activity, we moved through the rest of the bootcamp unit which takes a day to focus on a variety of author’s crafts like diction, use of detail, syntax, characterization, conflicts and setting. The students considered these ideas with a different eye after looking craft in other aspects of life.
To get these done for you stations, head over to my TPT store. This Power of Craft Stations Activity includes over 45 pages of materials including essential questions, a unit overview and calendar, a detailed lesson plan and the materials to set up six or more stations. Additionally, it includes directions on how to do the activity as a Choice Board, a Gallery Walk or as Digital Stations.
Additional Resources
Why You Should Teach Short Stories at the Beginning of the Year
9 Reasons to Teach Short Short Stories
How to Teach Setting in a Short Story (The English Teacher Vault)
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The Power of Author’s Craft Stations
Short Short Fiction Boot Camp for AP Literature
