English 10
Informal Writing II
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 Shakespeare’s Othello.
Some of these questions ask us to explore the darker side of our own natures and the darker side of human nature. 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:
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.
Think of one idea in each piece and write about 500 words on each topic. You make a claim and support that claim with meaningful, relevant detail. I will evaluate each piece in relation to its content, length, and style.
1. Agree or disagree with this quote: “There is no such thing as acting out of character. Each of us has within the germ of our most exceptional action.” Consider at least three characters/experiences/situations from history, from literature and from your own life to support your claim to agree or disagree with this idea.
2. Consider a couple from your own experience or from literature that seems to have very little in common. They come from two different worlds. What might attract this couple to one another? Are these differences a good basis for a relationship?
3. One theme in the play is the deception of appearance. Write about a time you were misled by appearances. Here, you should focus on the appearance of an object, not, for example, a person.
4.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?
5. 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?
6. 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.
7. Have you gossiped? Why? What is it? How does it function? What are the benefits? What are the risks?
8. Think about reputation. How does one develop a reputation? How is a reputation lost? Once a reputation is lost, can it ever be repaired?