Writing, Imitation, and Performance

This book reconsiders imitation as a valuable pedagogical approach in Writing Studies. Countering concerns about product-oriented teaching, formulaic writing, paternalistic or elitist pedagogy, and plagiarism, the book maintains that the use of imitation can offer a writer greater insight and help to develop a clear writerly identity. Positing that writers often use imitation as a step toward developing new directions, structures, and styles, and that this imitation is indeed a form of performan