Beyond the Five Paragraph Essay

• Close reading (which is the basis for writing about literature)
• Low-stakes writing options that support students' thinking as they read
• Collaboration in support of discussion, debate, and organizational structures that support writing as exploration
• A focus on students' writing process as foundational to content development and structure
• The use of model texts to write in the form of the literature students are reading and analyzing

The goal of reading and writing about literature is to push and challenge our students' thinking. We want students to know that their writing can convey something important: a unique view to share, defend, prove, delight, discover, and inspire. If we want our students to be more engaged, skilled writers, we need to move beyond the five-paragraph essay.