Adolescent Literacy and Writing: Narratives Outside the Classroom

by Courtney Brown

Overview

Writing is a powerful communication tool. It affords the opportunity for creative expression and the analysis of comprehensive thought. This monograph describes the authentic writing experiences of three African American adolescent members of an after-school writing club situated in a boarding school. Without the constraints imposed by deadlines, rubrics, grading, teacher feedback, or test-centered, argumentative compositions, members of the club participated in eleven writing sessions where they co-constructed meaningful dialogue, wrote original manuscripts, and developed a supportive social community. The sociocultural context of these adolescents’ experiences with writing presents themes of choice, collaboration, creativity, and catharsis told in a series of dynamic narratives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781793614001
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	08/17/2020
Pages:	104
Product dimensions:	6.36(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.59(d)

About the Author

Courtney A. Brown, PhD, is CEO of Somebody’s Answer LLC.

Table of Contents

Chapter One: Introduction

Chapter Two: Jean’s Story

Chapter Three: Mary’s Story

Chapter Four: Meisha’s Story

Chapter Five: Discussion, Implications and Conclusions

Editorial Reviews

Adolescent Literacy and Writing: Narratives outside the Classroom is a testament to the power of writing, providing inspirational examples of how writing can be encouraged and accessed. This important text addresses a substantial writing issue: adolescents’ motivation to engage in writing outside of school. Classroom-based writing, the writing that happens inside schools, is often privileged because of where such writing occurs. However, all adolescent writing does not occur in classrooms. As literacy demands continue to shift through increasing technology and in response to societal changes, Courtney Brown, PhD, reminds teachers at all levels of the influence of writing outside of school as spaces for student collaboration, creativity, and catharsis. Brown shares the powerful opportunity such place-based writing provides when teachers facilitate writing opportunities about what interests, motivates, and influences adolescents. Presented as a basis for why out-of-school writing is imperative, this text’s significant contribution to literacy is the exploration of the potential dissonance between what adolescents are forced to write in school and the ways they engage in writing outside of school. The poignant narratives of Jean, Mary, and Meisha are an amazing resource for teachers, other educators, and family members who seek insight regarding ways to positively encourage adolescents to share their thoughts, viewpoints, and mindsets in positive, productive ways.

Margaret-Mary Sulentic Dowell

Dr. Courtney Brown lifts the power of the narrative outside the classroom to a more non-traditional setting and allows us to peer into an academic free lens that translates the motivations, interests, and processes that influence writing’s developmental evolution in the youth of today. Adolescent Literacy and Writing: Narratives outside the Classroom is filled with communication, collaboration, and creativity that is certain to deepen the power of the narrative.

Gia D. Washington

As educators, we must realize the students we now serve are not those of even ten years ago; therefore, our practices must evolve if we are to effectively reach them, teach them. This begins with a change in our belief system. If we are to truly facilitate learning, this process must be an integral part of our students’ lives. Adolescent Literacy and Writing: Narratives Outside the Classroom is a guide to mimic in order that we construct curriculum allowing for authentic experiences of which students will engage so that they actually internalize the classwork. If we are to teach the whole-child, we must know the whole-child.

Kaydra Ellis