The Power of Scriptwriting!—Teaching Essential Writing Skills through Podcasts, Graphic Novels, Movies, and More

This dynamic resource offers teachers a new way to energize the teaching of writing while also meeting Common Core State Standards. The author draws on his unique background in education and media to provide this all-in-one resource to help teachers use the versatility of scriptwriting to motivate students and support literacy skills across the disciplines. Each chapter covers a different medium, outlining the writing skills required, and providing practical tips, sample projects, standards alignment, and strategies for differentiated instruction.

• The rationale, curricular connections, lessons, and projects to help teachers incorporate scriptwriting into their existing writing curriculum.
• Suggestions for using assignments in the disciplines to process content and exhibit understanding.
• Authentic connections to students’ in-school and out-of-school literacies.
• Easy-to-use sections, such as Why Teach This?, Skills Focus, Literacy Across the Disciplines, and The Writing Process.
• Robust differentiated instruction, including specific strategies for English language learners and below-level students.
• QuickStart lesson launchers to help both teachers and students become comfortable—and have fun—with scriptwriting immediately.  
• Appendices with Additional Resources, Revision Checklists, Writing Rubrics, and a glossary of Media and Script Terms.

“Gutiérrez brings a wealth of experience and insight on the practices involved in crafting stories using language, images, sound and multimedia. By taking mass media and popular culture seriously, this book adds essential dimensions to learning, literacy and language arts education.”
—Renee Hobbs, Founding Director and Professor in the Harrington School of Communication and Media at the University of Rhode Island.

“I am overjoyed to read The Power of Scriptwriting! Peter Gutiérrez’s extensive background makes him the perfect person to provide educators with all of the necessary guidance, tools, and instruction they will need to feel comfortable incorporating scriptwriting into the classroom. This book is a long-overdue addition to the world of new literacy, where media and technology already have our students’ attention. Tell your librarian to get several copies for your professional collection: I highly recommend it!”
—Frank Baker, media literacy consultant, Media Literacy Clearinghouse

Peter Gutiérrez has worked both as an English and social studies teacher and as a professional scriptwriter. As an educational consultant his clients include Pearson, Scholastic Education, and Sesame Workshop.