Using Writing to Make Change

Abstract

This chapter explores the possibilities of using mentor texts through the lens of culturally relevant writing instruction in the secondary English classroom. Mentor texts can serve as powerful writing guides for students and can be made more relevant and meaningful when used in ways that foster culturally relevant pedagogy, such as bringing in student culture and identities into the classroom. This chapter begins with research on writing instruction that uses mentor texts as well as culturally relevant pedagogy. Then, steps and strategies to implement this research in the classroom are provided. Finally, the chapter provides specific teaching ideas to use with two different mentor texts, a speech by Stacy Abrams and Malala Yousafzai's blog. These texts can be used to teach effective and meaningful argument and narrative writing techniques.