Weeks 6,7, 8: Dialogue Cont'd/Characterization/Setting

Mon 2/13--S: NO HOMEWORK DAY

    • Please bring your reader to class (we'll discuss "Hills Like White Elephants")

    • Also, please print out three copies of your story to distribute to your classmates:

      • Groups as follows:

      • Block E

          • Ethan, Martha, Ori, Nathan

          • Josh, Grace L, Ruby, Grace H

          • Tuna, Meher, Nick, Tara

          • Will, Maggie, Amina, Chris

      • Block F

          • Zandra, Arnav, Ashley, Lauren

          • Charlotte, Cora, Grace C, Gabe

          • Brianna, Jack, Sammy, Jacob

          • Allie, Eli, Logan, Anthony

Tues 2/14: No class

Weds 2/15--L: Workshopping in class:

  • Read student stories (workshopping during class time)

  • In the margins and at the end of the story, please do the following:

      • Comment on what works/is successful in the piece.

      • Comment on questions you have--what you'd like clarification on, etc.

    • Remember to be encouraging, not harsh--these are early drafts!

Fri 2/17--S: Read Chapter 4, "Building Character: Characterization Part II" in Writing Fiction.

  • Skip the short stories and exercises at the end of the chapter.

Mon 2/20--NO SCHOOL

Tu 2/21--L: Revision of story submission due on turnitin.com

    • I'll give you the turnitin.com class number and password beforehand.

  • Optional: read Charles Baxter, "Loss of Face" in reader pp. 33-45

Thurs 2/23--L:

  • Read "While the Women Are Sleeping" in the reader, pp. 136-149.

      • Think about how Javier Marias describes his characters: what methods of characterization does he use and to what effect?

INTRATERM!

Tu 3/7--S: Journal entry

    • Go back to your favorite cafe or place to observe people.

      • Describe people's appearances:

        • clothes

        • gestures

        • bodies

        • and, especially, their faces

    • Word count: 900 words (but only 300 need be on the topic above--the rest are up to you!)

    • Please post your entry here: Journal Entry: Appearances

Weds 3/8--L: Read Chapter 5 of Writing Fiction, "Fictional Place" (156-172).

Fri 3/10--S: Settings Analysis Exercise:

  • For this assignment, please do the following:

    • From a novel or short story you love, pick a passage that describes a setting vividly.

      • Passage should be approximately 100-200 words in length (see the sample passages on page 171 of Burroway).

      • Type the passage out yourself (very important)

    • After you type the passage out, please analyze the passage.

      • Ask yourself: why does the passage convey setting so effectively?

      • Remember Burroway's advice and Chekhov's tip on page 165.

      • Word count for passage analysis (not including passage itself): 450 words.

    • Please post on Canvas under "Discussions":