Weeks Eleven and Twelve: Point of View and Beginnings

Note: please don't get too far ahead in terms of assignments. The following dates/topics might change, especially for week twelve.

Mon 4/8 S:

• • Read Burroway, chapter 8 of Writing Fiction: "Call Me Ishmael: Point of View"--pp. 276-292.

Weds 4/10 L:

• Read "Invasion from Outer Space" (reader, 133-135)

• Read "Orientation" (reader, 184-186).

• Read "Oral History" (reader, 183).

  • For each of these stories, think about POV. Which of these POVs do you find the most interesting/effective? Why?

  • Also, for extra credit, please come to Maria Kuznetsova's reading tonight (April 10th) at Mrs. Dalloway's on College: Reading

Thurs 4/11 (Block E) or Fri 4/12 (Block D) L:

• • Re-write the first 150(ish) words of one of your stories from THREE rather different POVs for a total word count of 600 words (but you can do more if you wish).

    • • If you prefer, you can choose just two different POVs and write longer openings.

      • You can try writing your story from:

        • a different person (e.g. 2nd person, 1st person plural, omniscient)

        • or to a different audience (e.g. write in the 1st person addressed to another character in the story)

        • or in a different form (stream of consciousness, newspaper article, letter, etc.).

        • You can also change the perspective and write from a different character's POV.

      • Note: changing the POV may change your opening in surprising ways. Let the change in POV dictate where the new opening goes--possibly in a very different direction from the old one.

      • Make sure to put the original opening at the top of the assignment.

        • Please post on Canvas: POV assignment

Mon 4/15 S: Journal entry due:

• • Try writing your journal from one or more different points of view

    • For example, try using the second person or third person limited--or, for something even weirder, a first person plural

    • You can also experiment with form (e.g. writing your journal as a newspaper article, etc.) or audience (writing your entry to a specific addressee who isn't your regular addressee)

    • OR: write your journal from another person's POV (pretend to be someone else who might see something you're concerned/care about in a very different way)

    • Please write 300 words from this alternative POV. The rest of the journal entry is as you wish.

    • Use the list of freewriting prompts if you're not sure what you want to write about. (See Google Classroom.)

  • Word count: 950 words

  • Post here

• Note: we'll do all-class workshopping of stories the weeks of April 29th and May 6th, plus (possibly) Monday, May 13th. Please look at your schedules and be prepared to tell me today which days you cannot be workshopped (b/c of APs or other commitments).

  • Once the schedule for workshopping is set, it will be your responsibility to switch days, if need be.

Tu 4/16 S: Read "The Man in the Black Suit" in reader, pp. 122-132.

• • Does reading the story change your opinion of the opening in any way?

  • Do you like the conclusion? Why/why not?

Thurs 4/18 L: Journal topic on Openings and Conclusions

• • Topic: for the first 300 words (or more), reflect on openings and conclusions in your life.

    • Please post your assignment here: Openings and Conclusions

• 900 words total

Fri 4/19 S: Analysis Exercise:

• • Please follow the instructions for the following writing exercise on Canvas: Analysis of Favorite Opening

  • Make sure to post in the right Block