Writing and Reading Magical Realism A Multidimensional Approach

Writing and Reading Magical Realism: A Multidimensional Approach to Multicultural Literature Roger S. Baskin, Educational Specialist Office of Student Achievement

Definition Magical realism is a genre of literature that treats supernatural occurrences as mundane and the mundane as fantastic. It is typically viewed as literature that gives voice to people who include the supernatural in their understanding of reality. Though often associated with Latin American authors, the genre is practiced throughout the world.

Magical Realism is not … • Science Fiction • Horror • Fantasy

Why is this genre significant? “It is important for students to read texts that reflect their cultures and reflect them accurately… Finding ways for students to make connections to their own lives and to other texts can build motivation in the most stubborn of readers. ” Bonnie M. Davis, How to Teach Students Who Don’t Look Like You: Culturally Relevant Teaching Strategies

Why is the approach multidimensional? • It takes into account learning preferences. • It considers cultural diversity. • It takes into account a variety of higher level thinking opportunities.

Prompt #1 • Write about a time when you either witnessed an extraordinary occurrence or heard about such an occurrence from someone. • We start with this prompt because magical realism is literature that treats supernatural, extraordinary events as commonplace.

Prompt #2 • Write about an object that holds special significance for you that others may overlook. Why is it special to you, and how does it make you feel? • We use this prompt because magical realism also treats ordinary aspects of life as if they are extraordinary.

The Importance of the Personal “Students perform much better in environments where they feel comfortable and valued. . . One way to do this is by legitimizing personal experiences as significant sources of knowledge. As a result, ‘telling our personal stories’ plays a prominent part in our conversations as we struggle to capture the essence of educational ideas, theories, principals, and practices. ” Geneva Gay, Culturally Responsive Teaching: Theory, Research, and Practice

Prompt #3 Use one of the five senses to experience this object. What makes this item unique, special, appealing? What personality does it possess? What power does it possess? Using one of the senses, describe it to someone who has never experienced this item.

Prompt #3 We use this prompt to familiarize students with two techniques writers use in this genre: supplementation (romanticizing, adding detail) and defamiliarization (forcing the audience to see common things in an unfamiliar way). Both techniques help the writer celebrate the mundane.

Daughters of the Dust • Examples of the techniques of supplementation and defamiliarization are in the movie Daughters of the Dust. • Notice the way the dance is supplemented. Notice the unique narrative voice —an unborn child.

Advantages of Writing Exercises • Students create the literature before they read it. • Students have a greater knowledge and appreciation of the craft of creating this genre. • Major themes, imagery, and conflicts are introduced in the discussion of the studentgenerated literature.