In the beginning of the year we did a series of informal writings that allowed us to get to know one another better, to practice our skills, and to set up a foundation for the semester’s readings.
Now, we will again do a series of short writings to prepare our thinking for the challenge of reading Othello.
Some of these questions ask us to explore the darker side of our own natures. It is not important that you “confess” to crimes. What is important is that you explore the feelings you had when you did/or thought/or fantasized in these situations. The details aren’t as important as the reflection.
Guidelines:
1) Think before you write. These are not meant to be “free writings” where you just put pen to paper and write. These are meant to be focused and developed pieces.
2) Think of one idea in each piece and write 500 words (three to four MIGHTY PARAGRAPHS of 150 words each) on each topic. You make a claim and support that claim with meaningful, relevant detail.
3) Pay particular attention to the formal requirements in each piece. These requirements will help you broaden your command of writing skills.
1. Without necessarily going into detail about the act itself, write about a time when you did something you knew to be wrong.
Why did you decide to do it? I.e. what was your motivation?
How did you feel doing it?
How did you feel after you had done it?
How do you feel thinking back on it now?
What, if anything, did you learn from the experience?
Remember, the goal here is to explore motivation and consequence, not to confess to horrible crimes.
2. What would you do if you discovered her boy/girl friend was cheating on a close friend? Would you tell your friend? Would you keep the information to yourself? Explain your thinking about the situation.
3. Consider a couple from your own experience or from literature that seem to have very little in common. Two people who seem to come from two different worlds. What might attract these people to one another? Are these differences a good basis for a relationship?
4. One theme in the play is the deception of appearance. Write about a time you were misled by appearances.Why do you think you were misled?
5.Write about a time when you resented someone receiving an honor /recognition/prize you were hoping to get. How did you feel about the person who received it? How did you feel about the one or group who chose the other person instead of you?
6. Write about a time you doubted a friend’s loyalty. What made you doubt? What did you do about the situation? How was the situation resolved?
7. Write about a time you envied someone.
8. Write about a time you were jealous of someone.
9. Think about our reflection on gossip. Write about one element of gossip that was on the board. Have you gossiped? Why? What is it? How does it function? What are the benefits? What are the risks?
10. Think about reputation. Consider all the areas a person may have a reputation? How does one develop a reputation? How is a reputation lost? Once a reputation is lost, can it ever be repaired?