9.25 Uncle Rock, Boys and Girls, and writing an essay on form and focus

We started class with a "meet up" for the groups prepared to present on Uncle Rock and Boys and Girls.  During this meeting you talked over your story's meanings (what it was about, how it made you feel, what happend,  "the main point" etc) and talked about how the POV, setting, and structure of your story allowed the author to communicate those meanings.  During this talk, you came up with some spectacular ideas - I was truly delighted - organized how to present it (sort of) - and then we talked about the two stories.

I was too taken in with all your were saying so I didn't take notes - but I know this discussion was more than I imagined.  You came up with many original ideas for how the first person narration of Boys and Girls, and the third person limited narration of Uncle Rock created both the feel (the effect) of the story, and worked to make the story's message available to the reader.  You talked about setting both in terms of the general place (Los Angeles and a farm in Ontario) and in terms of the different places where the different parts of the story took place.  For structure, you pointed out how the chronological sequence worked with the "growth" or "realization" the characters worked through - and how the structure of the "scenes" fit with the setting to communicate ideas/feelings that the author then did not need to state directly.  Wonderful.  What a pleasure it was to talk with you.

We then looked at the assignment sheet = Fall14shortStoryAssignment posted to the right under course assignments.  We looked at the purpose, description and the criteria (the features I will use to assign the grade).  The requirements for length and formatting are at the bottom.  I am hoping the work we have done so far in the semester has set you up with the resources to write this paper.  If you have questions - or aren't sure what to do => send me an email.

For next class:
Email me:  if you have any poetry suggestions for the next unit => be in touch.  I will be working on the specific readings and hopefully have the schedule (with your suggestions included) by next week.
Write: brainstorming for your draft essay for the short story assignment.  Try something daring!   Experiment!   But you don't need to go so far outside your comfort zone that you get paralyzed.

During class on Monday, we will talk some more about peer review, form peer review groups, and work out the protocol for providing feedback on your papers. We will also check in on your focus/main ideas/what you are using for evidence as a kind of whole class brainstorm on how to finish your drafts.

Have a great weekend - and see you on Monday!