Starstruck: Some Time with Burke

Coincidentally, we were covering Kenneth Burke in my teaching college writing class the same time I was reading  him for this one.  So, this journal is going to be me telling you an assignment idea I came up with using the pentad.

To get students familiar with evaluating/unpacking sources, they would be instructed on how to use the pentad with its five points (act, scene, agent, agency, and purpose).  For the initial assignment, students would dissect a simple , familiar fairytale told in very simple prose (something between 200-500 words).  Then, splitting the class into small groups (2-3 people), they would fill out the pentad.  After giving students some time to work on this, each group would map out their respective pentads on the board with an indication as to which point has the most emphasis.  Then, as a class, students would discuss the differences among the interpretations and why some students saw different points needing emphasis.

Ideally students would realize that texts can be interpreted multiple ways and that no text is entirely objective. They would transfer the skills learned using the pentad and apply them to more complex reading assignments, and perhaps even at some point their own writing.  The pentad is a great way of teaching for many reasons.  It's a flexible, widely applicable strategy, can involve the drawing of stars (with colored pencils if one prefers!), and can help students make mincemeat of complicated texts.

At least, I hope it will work.