Before class on Wednesday, March 16, students will…

During class, we will…

  • Continue discussion of Point of View, with a focus on the First and Third POV–with examples!
  • Compare and contrast “The First Day” with “The Wife’s Story.”
  • Work on Journal Assignment 4. Choose ONE of these prompts; title it Full Name, Journal #4 under Journals:
  1. Write about a constant disagreement you’ve had with someone. What is the basis of the disagreement? It can be large or small. (For example, my parents and I have different opinions about how to fry eggs.) When does this disagreement occur? What is usually/often said? How is it resolved–if at all? Share as many details as possible. (Approximately 300-400 words. Feel free to write more!)
  2. Go to a public space where you can practice social distancing and politely people watch for at least 10-15 minutes. Take notes about the people you see and if they say anything. When you get home to your computer or laptop, recreate the experience. Where were you? Who did you see? (What were they wearing? What were their ages? What were they doing?) What did they say–if anything? Be as detailed as possible. (Approximately 300-400 words. Feel free to write more!)
  3. The writer Jane Howard said: “Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.  Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.” Who is in your clan/network/tribe/family? Describe each member of that group of people in detail. Need help getting started? Use some (or all) of the four elements of character we’ve talked about: action, dialogue, appearance, and thought. (Approximately 300-400 words. Feel free to write more!)
  • This journal must be completed by 11:59 PM on Friday, March 18, in order for you to move on to the next assignment!

After class, students will…

  • Write a short story!
  • How to write you first fictional short story, using Journal 4 as an inspiration.
    • If you used the first option (write about a constant disagreement you’ve had with someone), write about the disagreement from their POV. Focus on the character traits of this individual–action, dialogue, appearance, and thought–that explains why they may disagree with you–the opposition.
    • If you used the second option (go to a public space where you can practice social distancing and politely people watch for at least 10-15 minutes), choose one of the people you saw and create a “day in the life” of that person. Focus on plot–get the person up a tree, throw rocks at them, and then get the person down.
    • If you used the third option (who is in your clan/network/tribe/family?), choose two of those people and put them in a difficult situation together. A few ideas: out of gas in the middle of nowhere, locked out of their apartment, spending a holiday with just the two of them, waiting for another friend in the freezing cold or sweltering heat (you get the picture). You can focus on both the character traits and plot.
  • The only requirements are:
    • The story must be at least 350-400 words long
    • Told in the Third Person POV! (No “I”–only “he/his,” “she/her,” or “they/their.”)

Future deadlines…

  • Write a paragraph critique of Le Guin’s work. What did you enjoy? What questions/suggestions do you have for the author? Title it Full Name, Le Guin Critique. Post it under Discussions by class time on Wednesday, March 23.
  • Finish your first short story. The first draft is due by class time on Wednesday, March 23.