Sing the Sun Up: Creative Writing Ideas from African American Literature » (New Edition)

20 teaching writers present practical ideas and methods for motivating students to write imaginatively, inspired by African-American poetry, fiction, essays, and drama.

VOYA

This compact and handy teaching resource is full of creative ideas and suggestions that will be valuable aids to English, Black studies, and creative writing teachers in making the vast treasures of African American literature accessible to every student. The twenty contributing writers and poets are all accomplished in their fields and actively engaged in teaching. Their essays explore the amazing versatility and energy of African American writers, such as James Baldwin and his masterful use of language; Zora Neale Hurston, who had a marvelous gift of personalization; Aimé Césaire, Martinique's surrealist poet, who coined the term "negritude"; Nikki Giovanni, who touches the heart with her magnificent poetry; Nobel laureate Derek Walcott, who conveys intricate imagery; Luis Peles Matos of Puerto Rico and the joyous musical rhythms in his poem Black Dance; and Langston Hughes, Rita Dove, Gwendolyn Brooks, and so many others, whose fresh vision and enormous talent have opened new doors and broadened horizons in world literature. The various essays fall into categories such as Major Stylists, Genre Approaches, Sound, etc., and the writers present well-researched studies of their chosen subjects' writings to motivate students, along with examples of students' imaginative works written in response to this stimulus. Although not every prominent African American writer could possibly be included in this book, it does present a well-chosen range of influential authors offering a rich diversity of literary vistas to their readers. The "Notes on the Contributors" at the end of the book are thumbnail biographical sketches, and I found the very last entry, "Other T & W books You Might Enjoy," of special interest. It is easy to see that this book, besides being an excellent resource, is also a labor of love, and it shines with the generosity of spirit, devotion to enlightenment, and selfless dedication that are the finest hallmarks of the very best teachers. It is well written, instructive, and enjoyable, every essay a little gem in itself. I recommend it not only to educators but as fine reading to anyone interested in literature. Biblio.