Mon 2/11 (S):
Review Chapter 3 of Burroway
Go to a cafe (or some other place where people are talking) and listen to people's dialogue.
Try to write down snippets of their speech.
Make notes on the way people talk (intonation, word choice, rhythm, speed, pacing)
Also, observe the gestures, movement, and facial expressions that accompany the way people converse.
Please be subtle and respectful!
Note: if you're not comfortable observing strangers, ask family members or friends if they mind if you observe and take notes on their conversation.
Note:if you write about a person I might know (in this or other journal entries), please change the name and a key characteristic of the person so I won't recognize them, if at all possible.
Note: Do NOT record or videotape anyone without their express permission! Very important!
You need only write 300 words on this topic; the remaining 400 words are your own choice.
Total word count: 700 words.
Put how long it took you at the beg. or end of your assignment
Please post on Canvas here.
Tues 2/12:
Read "Hills Like White Elephants" in your reader.
Pay attention to how Hemingway uses dialogue to craft his story. How does literary dialogue different from the actual dialogue you overhear?
Assignment purposely short b/c story submission #1 due Weds (E) or Thurs (D).
Weds 2/13 or Thurs 2/14 (L): Story submission #1 due
Note: no extensions can be granted on this assignment because we can't postpone workshopping the stories.
Bring three copies to class to share with classmates
Note: this story will only be read by the three classmates in your workshopping group--not the whole class.
Workshopping groups are as follows (Block D: we'll distribute stories in class on Thursday):
Block D:
Group 1: Sonia, Mia, Isabel, Ethan
Group 2: Aadil, Catherine, Simon, Michael
Group 3: Isaac, Sierra, Carson, Reilly
Group 4: Kyle, Josh, Grace, Marcella
Block E:
Group 1: Emmie, Lucy, Danna, Paulos
Group 2: Claire, Izzy, Caroline, Ben L
Group 3: Jack, Alex, Justin, Kira, Jessica
Group 4: Walter, Ben P, Sarah
Important: no extensions on this assignment
If you have any questions about your story you want feedback on, I'd suggest writing them at the end of your story, rather than the beginning. Often a good idea to write down specific questions you have for your peers!
Note: Please don't leave your classmates' stories lying around. Remember that they're confidential.
Fri 2/15 (S): Workshopping:
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.
Suggest corrections for mechanical errors respectfully.
Remember to be encouraging, not harsh--these are early drafts!
Authors: print out and bring a copy of your own story (so you can refer to it when your classmates comment on it)
Week 6: Dialogue and Character
Mon 2/18: NO SCHOOL
Weds 2/20 (L) : Revision of Story #1 due
Here's the turnitin.com info:
Class ID: 20385282
Enrollment key: English
Optional: read Charles Baxter, "Loss of Face" in reader pp. 33-45
Thurs 2/21 or Fri 2/22 (L):
Read and mark up Chapter 4, "Building Character: Characterization Part II" in Writing Fiction.
Skip the short stories and exercises at the end of the chapter.
Optional: bring in a brief passage that captures the essence of a favorite character from a beloved book.
Intraterm!