In Search of the Novel
Discover creative strategies for bringing novels to life
for middle and high school students with this workshop, featuring the
words and works of 10 novelists, including Charles Dickens, Mary Shelley,
J. K. Rowling, and Toni Morrison. Within the framework of real classroom
practice, the workshop offers interviews with contemporary authors, literary
critics, teachers, and students, as well as film clips from adaptations
of the novels featured. In Search of the Novel poses basic questions that
can help you examine the genre from multiple perspectives and bring it
to life for your students.
Episode Descriptions
Workshop 1. Who Owns the Novel?
This workshop probes the living nature of the novel by illustrating how
each reader makes a novel his or her own. It shows how the interpretation
of a novel can change, depending on the reader's culture, class, generation,
gender, and personality.
Workshop 2. What's the Story?
This workshop explores how an author spins a story and why it is the most
important aspect of the novel. In the program, participants examine the
importance of the hook, and the "why" behind the events. They
also consider various ways into difficult novels.
Workshop 3. Are Novels Real?
Must a novel's setting and characters — and the characters' motivations
and stories — bear some likeness to reality? This program explores
how novels connect with readers. Teachers, students, and novelists probe
the origins of stories.
Workshop 4. Where Do Novels Come From?
This program explores the genesis of characters, plot, themes, and interpretation
from the novelist's point of view. Participants examine the relationship
between the novel and the objective reality from which it may spring.
Workshop 5. Why Do I Have To Read This Book?
The workshop's 10 novels are examined to see why they appear on recommended
reading lists and why they have earned numerous awards. The program looks
at the essential elements of good writing and storytelling and explores
positive reasons for reading. It also examines ways in which novels are
challenged by students and communities.
Workshop 6. What's in It for Me?
A novel can transport readers to other places and times, real or imaginary,
allowing the readers to meet people and experience life in many different
ways. In this program, teachers explore ways to help students respond
to novels on deeply personal levels.
Workshop 7. Who Am I in This Story?
A reader can take on a number of roles in a novel: the protagonist, the
narrator, the author, or another character. In this program, students
and novelists examine the complex ways readers may identify with characters
in a novel.
Workshop 8. Am I Getting Through?
In this summary, teachers examine their effectiveness in helping students
comprehend and appreciate novels and become lifelong readers. Teachers
also discuss and demonstrate strategies for evaluation.
9 and 10. Authors' Notes
In this supplement to In Search of the Novel, contemporary authors —
including Orson Scott Card, Horton Foote, Ernest Gaines, Arthur Golden,
Daniel Keyes, Katherine Paterson, J. K. Rowling, and Leslie Marmon Silko
— reveal even more of their own writing process. Guided by thematic
questions, they discuss everything from how they first conceived their
novels to what it’s like to be a writer — and how they imagine
teachers should teach their works.
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