Weeks Five and Six: Dialogue and Character

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.

  • Requirements for Story Submission

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!