For
the last few weeks, I’ve been describing a technique that I call “digging
deep.” Inspired by the wonderful essays my colleagues have been sharing on
Mondays throughout this school year, I’ve been discussing ways to make nonfiction
writing unique and interesting.
I
began with this bit of information from the research file for a
work-in-progress:
began with this bit of information from the research file for a
work-in-progress:
“Female flesh fly lays about
twelve eggs at a time
When they hatch, female places maggots on a harlequin toad’s skin
twelve eggs at a time
When they hatch, female places maggots on a harlequin toad’s skin
The larvae burrow into the
toad and feed on its body. They kill the toad in just a few days.”
toad and feed on its body. They kill the toad in just a few days.”
If
you scroll down to previous posts, you’ll see that as part of my pre-writing
process, I used a writing prompt to identify what I thought was most
interesting about these notes. Then I brainstormed to find personal connections
to the information, so that I could add a little bit of myself to the writing
to make it unique.
you scroll down to previous posts, you’ll see that as part of my pre-writing
process, I used a writing prompt to identify what I thought was most
interesting about these notes. Then I brainstormed to find personal connections
to the information, so that I could add a little bit of myself to the writing
to make it unique.
Because
I came up with two different ways approach the text, and I liked them both, I
decided to create two different pieces and then figure out which one I liked
the better.
I came up with two different ways approach the text, and I liked them both, I
decided to create two different pieces and then figure out which one I liked
the better.
Version 1: A Toad-al Surprise
Think
you know what happens when a fly and a toad cross paths? Then get ready for a
BIG surprise!
Think
you know what happens when a fly and a toad cross paths? Then get ready for a
BIG surprise!
When
a female flesh fly encounters a harlequin toad, she doesn’t become lunch.
Instead, she darts down and deposits her newly-hatched maggots on the toad’s
skin.
a female flesh fly encounters a harlequin toad, she doesn’t become lunch.
Instead, she darts down and deposits her newly-hatched maggots on the toad’s
skin.
What
happens next? The white, wormy youngsters get to work, burrowing into the
toad’s body. Then the maggots devour the toad from the inside out.
happens next? The white, wormy youngsters get to work, burrowing into the
toad’s body. Then the maggots devour the toad from the inside out.
That’s
right. In this scenario, it’s the toad that croaks.
Version 2: The Fly and the Toad
Once
upon a time, there was a fly and a toad. Think you know how this story ends?
Think again.
right. In this scenario, it’s the toad that croaks.
Version 2: The Fly and the Toad
Once
upon a time, there was a fly and a toad. Think you know how this story ends?
Think again.
In
this twisted tale, a female flesh fly deposits her newly-hatched maggots on a harlequin
toad’s skin. The white, wormy youngsters wriggle and squirm as they burrow
beneath the toad’s skin. Then the maggots devour their victim from the inside
out.
this twisted tale, a female flesh fly deposits her newly-hatched maggots on a harlequin
toad’s skin. The white, wormy youngsters wriggle and squirm as they burrow
beneath the toad’s skin. Then the maggots devour their victim from the inside
out.
The
end.
end.
Actually,
it’s the end for the toad, but not for the flesh flies. With their bellies
full, the maggots turn into pupae. And few weeks later, they emerge as
adults.
it’s the end for the toad, but not for the flesh flies. With their bellies
full, the maggots turn into pupae. And few weeks later, they emerge as
adults.
If
you look at my previous posts, you’ll be able to see how each writing sample connects to
the ideas I explored in my writer’s notebook. You’ll also notice that
some phrases appear in both pieces. This is the critical information.
you look at my previous posts, you’ll be able to see how each writing sample connects to
the ideas I explored in my writer’s notebook. You’ll also notice that
some phrases appear in both pieces. This is the critical information.
Because
I took the time to dig deep—to think creatively about my research and add a
little bit of myself—I was able to write two pieces that are different from
each other and different from anything another writer might craft to describe
the relationship between flesh flies and harlequin toads. In other words, this
method helps students overcome a major nonfiction writing roadblock—plagiarism.
I took the time to dig deep—to think creatively about my research and add a
little bit of myself—I was able to write two pieces that are different from
each other and different from anything another writer might craft to describe
the relationship between flesh flies and harlequin toads. In other words, this
method helps students overcome a major nonfiction writing roadblock—plagiarism.
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Topics
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