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Book: Investigative Creative Writing

Chapter: 5. Extreme Puppet Theater as a Tool for Writing Pedagogy

DOI: 10.1558/equinox.34894

Blurb:

I explain how Extreme Puppet Theater, which I developed in American literature and environmental courses, can be applied to all educational levels and diverse disciplines of education. The criteria for grading dramatic productions with puppets that students create in group situations is discussed, especially in regard to eco- and/or political issues that provide sophisticated focuses for mock talk-show dialogues which provide alternatives to standard argumentative approaches. Writers Edward Abbey, Rachel Carson, Gary Snyder and Sam Shepard are discussed and provided as examples of ways to approach this specific approach. Saturday Night Live skits are used as models for group work.

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