Copia is an incredible way to teach students how to stretch language. When used with the goal of language expression, students are no longer bound to a particular language pattern. Instead, they take a model and try to rewrite it any way they want—as long as it stays True to the original meaning.
I begin by selecting a passage from something we read in Literature and providing handouts to the students. Here is an example from the 2002 Dover Thrift Edition of Mark Twain’s Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc.
We sat looking vacantly at each other, and it was easy to see that no one there was comfortable. The longer we sat so, the more deadly still that stillness got to be; and when the wind began to moan around the house presently, it made me sick and miserable, and I wished I had been brave enough to be a coward this time” (131).
Our first step as a class is to annotate the selection. This requires close reading and analysis to uncover its deeper meaning. We circle, underline, and mark-up the selection in all manner of ways. I always remind students to pay particular attention to words and phrases that have figurative meaning. Students can do this on their own, but I find it more beneficial to guide them through it.
Once we have a solid understanding of what Twain or some other author is trying to say, we then rewrite it in our own words. It sounds simple, but it’s not at all, namely because students need to try to make their copias more beautiful than the model.
“Like I can write something better than Twain!” most of them think to begin with.
What’s more, their copia should not be a summary. Rather, it should be written as new text for the story itself. So if the author wrote in the first person, then the student should do so as well. Likewise, if the text is drawn from a historical document, then the student needs to imitate its style. In that way, students really get into the art of writing.
I like having students rewrite the model multiple times in a notebook before they come up with two final versions to submit. One final version is a “short” copia, meaning it has condensed the original ideas. Another final version is a “long” copia, meaning it has fully developed the original ideas.
Here are three short copia examples from students.
EXAMPLE ONE
We gawked awkwardly at each other as the silence grew. I was sick of the wind and of my cowardice.
EXAMPLE TWO
We stared gloomily at each other in the dark, musty, dungeon-like room. Like France afraid once more, we cringed at the wind’s cries, and I was sorry not to be able to show my fear.
EXAMPLE THREE
It was cold, cold and creepy. That place was haunted by death and despair. I wanted to leave. I wanted to go to bed and leave that dreadful room, but I was not brave enough to admit how scared I was. Curse this human pride!
Here are three long copia examples.
EXAMPLE ONE
We, as faithless men, waited for someone else to make a move. It was evident no one was prepared for that awful room. We were all afraid and uncertain of what was to come. Why did we go that place? Our feeling of discomfort grew to regret. I could hear only silence, yet I saw much. I saw once courageous men give up and simply forget their dignity. I regret my torpid state at that time. I wish I had the courage to face reality. I was a coward, and fear shackled me to complete uncertainty. All hope was lost—for us, for France, for Joan.
EXAMPLE TWO
We stared at each other, emotionless and uneasy. We were afraid, nervous, and uncomfortable because the task of killing the ghost was too hard. The stillness in the room crept up and lurked around us. We were aching from the deadly stillness. The wind that howled all around added to the effect and made us lose more of our bravery. I suffered immensely and regretted not being able to stand up to my fear of the ghost. I was too scared at that time and should have rather given in to being called a coward than stand that unbearable adventure.
EXAMPLE THREE
There we sat looking at one another with no real intent, yet behind the eyes of each man was a look of fear that only one truly frightened would have. The more we sat there, the more we felt the presence of the ghost. Each man was waiting for something to happen, yet all we could do was listen to the howl of the wind as it blew about the house. All the men had a sick or pale look about them, and they seemed to shake with fear. Each wished he could have been brave enough to admit he was scared of the ghost.
As you can see, students end up with something truly beautiful in the end!
Copia is so powerful because it lets us stand on the shoulders of great authors. We may not be able to come up with the model text, but we can certainly play with it and stretch it. With enough practice, we just may join their league someday.