Class 4 Agenda (9/10)

To Do Before Class:

READ AND ANNOTATE : “Maybe I Could Save Myself by Writing” 

(note: click here if the above link doesn’t work) 

READ AND ANNOTATE: “The Fourth of July” by Audre Lorde 

WRITE: (250 Words)  So far in this unit, we have read (and heard) three examples from the genre of the “education narrative.”  Your first essay assignment in this class will be to write in this genre yourself.  So in this discussion forum, I’d like us to have a conversation about what the features of this genre are. Please discuss some of the following:

• What, from what you’ve seen so far, are the “ingredients” (also known as “conventions”) of the education narrative genre?
• What do you think might be a place to get started with your own education narrative?
• What are your questions or concerns about writing an education narrative of your own?
• If you like, you can also feel free to share an educational experience you had and ask for feedback from your colleagues (and me) to see if we think that might be a solid place to begin writing.

Class Topic:

Introduction to Concrete and Significant Detail

In-Class Activities: 

• Concrete, Significant Detail 
• Watch (and do exercise in) this Lynda Barry video on writing a scene
• This handout describes the steps of Barry’s process.
• If time, read this literacy narrative in class. Talk about how the author uses concrete, significant detail!

To Do After Class:

• THINK: Think of one specific incident that changed your views on education. Picture the scene. 
• REVIEW : Please review the slideshow we watched in class about what paragraphs are. You can find it HERE.
• WRITE: a blog post of at least two distinct paragraphs describing one specific incident that changed your views on education using Concrete, Significant detail. The incident you described in class will be a great place to start.