Hi Class,
Welcome back!
This week, you'll continue on with course assignments listed under the "Week 10 Checklist" on your course calendar.
Keep in mind that I'm available to assist you as you continue to write and complete work for this class... be in touch if you'd like to schedule a meeting, or if you'd like to check in on grades.
Happy writing!
-AP
Writing Tip of the Week
Don't Be Afraid to Write What's Real
Authenticity is one of the most likeable traits of excellent nonfiction writing. Readers love to feel that their writer is reliable, honest, and true-to-life in their depictions and persona. Because of that, it's important that you maintain a sense of who you are as you write about your life. There's no need to write like anyone but yourself, and no need to water down the language of characters that appear in your writing. Eventually, you'll learn to pare down excess on your own, or thanks to the advice of your readers and editors. If you do feel insecure about whether your topics, ideas, or language are offensive or otherwise problematic, feel free to check in with me and receive some feedback.
Great Hits from Week 8
Alyssa's "The Art of Persuasion"
http://thebassyla.blogspot.com/2011/03/art-of-persuasion-prompt-27.html
Alyssa's tone in "The Art of Persuasion" created a sense of irony and satire that made this post delightful to read. The language in this post is objective and academic, yet the points themselves are humorous in context. I don't think we've seen satirical writing in this class yet, so it's exciting to read a first example. I especially love her point that persuasion is decidedly "Un-American". That claim is often thrown around in political arguments in ambiguous and emotional ways, so in this piece, it stands out as particularly satirical and funny. Well done, Alyssa!
Brandon's "Calm Persuasion: Don't Panic"
http://truthinessbroadcast.blogspot.com/2011/03/calm-persuasion-dont-panic.html
This post goes in so many directions that I had to re-read it three times... however, it's very amusing. I'd like to point out the potential that can arise out of this sort of unhibited freewriting. Towards the beginning of this post, Brandon reveals an opportunity to analyze the effects of the phrase "Don't Panic" in an original and associative way. Towards the end of the post, we are given an opportunity to meditate on the virtues of zombies. Where else do we get original topics like these if not through free-writing? :-) I could see Brandon taking any one of the ideas from this post and developing it into a quirky and fun final essay. Great work, Brandon!
Chelsee's "Hey Father..."
http://chelsee926.blogspot.com/2011/03/hey-father-i-can-always-give-him-check.html
A few weeks ago, we read Chelsee's story about meeting her biological father for the first time. In this post, she develops just one aspect of the previous story into a vivid scene. We can appreciate the further developed characterization, and even the great photo at the end of the piece. Best of all, we have an opportunity to "hear" voices. Reading dialogue spoken by Chelsee's father allows us to get to know him even more thoroughly. It's an enjoyable post to read. Thanks, Chelsee!
Jamie's "One of Those Talks"
http://flawedifnotfree72.blogspot.com/2011/03/one-of-those-talks.html
I'm impressed with Jamie's ability to turn dialogue into a sufficient story, with a satisfying beginning, middle, and end. Whereas the topic of the scene isn't necessarily original, her style of writing creates renewed interest. I like Jamie's lack of description as to context, character, setting, etc. There's a sense that the dialogue itself is sufficient, and that the reconciliation resolves the conflict of the piece enough to provide closure. Good job, Jamie!
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