Drawing the Line: Creative Writing Through the Visual and Performing Arts [Paperback]

Barry Gilmore (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0966323386 | ISBN-13: 978-0966323382 | Publication Date: October 1, 1999

What are the connections between composing with language and other forms of creative expression? Barry Gilmore's Drawing the Line provides a fascinating answer. Better than that, he provides simple, engaging ways to generate powerful student writing by describing how to engage secondary students 7-12 in various artistic mediums.

The arts provide a valuable and much-overlooked tool for helping young people to improve their writing. Through easy, inviting activities in the visual arts, music, and drama, Gilmore leads students to explore a host of creative approaches to composing. In the process, students will also develop a heightened sensitivity to the mediums they explore.

Each chapter focuses on one genre of art. Individual units offer discussion for the teacher, a simple artistic activity, creative writing exercises, and examples of students' written work. All chapters provide imaginative hands-on opportunities in the arts that have been tested with thousands of students. Nor does Drawing the Line assume or require that teachers have prior experience with any medium.

We haven't come across a richer, more enjoyable way to teach writing.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Barry Gilmore, a National Board Certified Teacher, has taught English and social studies for over fifteen years, including ten years of teaching at Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, Tennessee, where he also serves as English department chair. In addition to his work at Lausanne, Gilmore serves on the faculty of Tennessee Governor's School for International Studies each summer and regularly presents his teaching ideas to groups around the country. He is the author of six books for teachers and students, including Plagiarism: Why It Happens and How to Prevent It (Heinemann 2008). Gilmore is a past president of the Tennessee Council of Teachers of English and has received numerous honors for his teaching, including awards from NCTE, TCTE, SMCTE, and the Tennessee Holocaust Commission. In 2005, the U.S. Department of Education named him an American Star of Teaching. Barry Gilmore is a Heinemann Professional Development provider.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann Drama (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966323386
• ISBN-13: 978-0966323382
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,170,039 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Barry Gilmore has been teaching and writing for more than fifteen years; he is currently Chair of Humanities at Hutchison School in Memphis, Tennessee and a consultant with the Tennessee Governor's School for International Studies. A Ntional Board Certified Teacher and Past-President of the Tennessee Council of Teachers of English, Gilmore has won teaching awards from NCTE, TCTE, the Tennessee Holocaust Commission, Prentice-Hall, and the U.S. Department of Education. In addition to his book for teachers and students, he has published over twenty articles and regularly presents to groups around the country.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Southpaw, March 19, 2001

By 

Deadphlip22 (St. Louis, MO, Neptune) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Drawing the Line: Creative Writing Through the Visual and Performing Arts (Paperback)

Barry's oxymoronic view of the aesthetic atmosphere drives liberally in a radical world of writing. His poignant and precise touch on the nebulous line that divides and encompasses the writing and visual arts and poetry, is a phenomenal explication on the spirit and presence that can strike us all dumbfounded when gawking and drooling at colorful oprah. He takes a painting and expounds on it thoroughly enough to encapsulate even the ignorant, and even his tone and rhythm musically provide a contextual creation. His work, in itself, is a piece of art.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book is Totally Flush, April 10, 2000

By 

Ivy (Memphis, Tn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Drawing the Line: Creative Writing Through the Visual and Performing Arts (Paperback)

This book is amazing, it brought me up from being completely uncreative to being a wonderful artist. I don't know where I would be right now if I had not read this book. It is completely and utterly flush, and I recommend it to everyone. Barry Rules!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fantastic, Informative Piece of Literature, October 14, 2003

By 

Cameron Murchison (Memphis, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Drawing the Line: Creative Writing Through the Visual and Performing Arts (Paperback)

Never before have I been able to learn so much by simply reading a book. Barry Gilmore's book with its stunning insights into the world of creative writing has taken my own writing to new heights. I would strongly advise all aspiring young writers to read this book. Even veteran writers would do well to read this book and learn a few new tricks.