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The Hearsay assignment is worth 15% of your final grade.
This assignment is one of two required speaking assignments for this speaking-intensive course, and asks you to talk to someone about one of our course texts on the syllabus. Your essay will reflect on this conversation in 3-6 full pages in MLA format (double-spaced 1-inch margins, Times New Roman 12-point font, no unnecessary line breaks).
(FYI: The other of your two speaking assignments is the Share & Tell assignment here)
Though this assignment is not technically due until late in the semester, I strongly encourage you to complete it earlier as the end of the semester will likely be a very busy time for all of us.
Another reason to not wait until the last minute is that you want to give your chosen person time to speak with you. It wouldn't be good to rush someone or take advantage of their kindness, so make arrangements ahead of time to speak with them.
You can turn in your reflection essay to Brightspace Assignments anytime on or before the date indicated on the syllabus.
Instructions
Instructions
For your second speech for this course, you will have a meaningful conversation about a course text of your choice from our syllabus. Afterwards, you will write and turn in a reflection essay using quotes and observations from both the text and your conversation.
Select your audience.
Select your audience.
Choose someone outside of class who you think will have something to interesting to say or even make a personal connection to the course text you have read, but who has not read your text (poem, short story, novel, etc. from our syllabus).
The word "interesting" doesn't have to mean "completely agree with" or even "relate to"; nevertheless, be prepared to be surprised by what connections they DO make! Think carefully through your decisions, and choose someone whose potential experiences or insights will lead to a sustained conversation with you about your chosen text.
Be creative with your audience!
Be creative with your audience!
Rather than, say, a fellow classmate from a different course, I would consider other possibilities for audience and personal connections. Is there an extended relative who lived through the time period in which the book took place that you can call? A friend or coworker whose experiences or expertise can lend insight into a particular aspect of the text? Someone who is isolated and would likely appreciate your taking the time to find that personal connection, either in person or over Zoom or the phone?
Allot time.
Allot time.
Consider setting an appointment or just planning out some shared time with that person. (This can be virtual if you wish, and in any language you prefer as long as you translate.)
For example: “Hi. I have an assignment for class where I get to talk to someone about a story (poem, novel, comic book, etc.) I read, and I think it will really resonate with you. Could we schedule some time to talk about it? Maybe, like a half hour, even though it probably won’t take that long?”
Freeing up that time means that you will have someone receptive to a conversation who also understands the time commitment involved. You can't rush a good discussion. :)
Have a real conversation.
Have a real conversation.
While you should take on the responsibility for keeping a conversation going, ask questions of the person, and invite questions and comments in return. Listen. Even though this is an assignment, the conversation doesn’t have to be academic. Don't feel like you need to read to them or otherwise explain the entire text (in fact, avoid spoilers if you can!). Keep it casual and be open to going in different directions than you might have intended.
Take notes, or ask permission to record the conversation.
Take notes, or ask permission to record the conversation.
Since you are required to have at least one quote and one reaction in your analysis, it is vital that you record the experience in some way, whether on paper or by recording audio.
You do not have to provide me with your notes or recordings, unless you really want to do so!
Finally, write and revise your analysis and reflection of the conversation and the text.
Why did you choose this audience and this text? How did your audience react? What thoughts and insights did you gain about the person and/or the text as a result of this conversation? How did you feel while having this conversation?
Include at least one quote or moment from the text that you discussed, AND at least one (1) quote from the text and one (1) quote from your audience member. Use MLA format - Times New Roman 12-point font with 1-inch margins.
Write 3-6 full pages in MLA format (double-spaced 1-inch margins, Times New Roman 12-point font, no unnecessary line breaks). Consider the Writing Lab for assistance (and, of course, extra credit).
Tell a story.
Tell a story.
It may help to try to paint a picture in words of why you chose this person to have this conversation, and what were some of the salient moments of connection you have with the person and/or the text during this conversation.
When finished revising, you can turn in your reflection to Brightspace Assignments.
When finished revising, you can turn in your reflection to Brightspace Assignments.
Questions? Ask me!
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I choose to talk to for this assignment?
Who do I choose to talk to for this assignment?
Essentially, you want someone (friend, family member, coworker, neighbor, etc.) with whom you will have an interesting conversation about your book / poem / short story chosen from the syllabus.
This person does not have to have read the book, or even know anything about it; it's your job to tell them this. Feel free to avoid spoilers! :)
You can have a group conversation if you wish, but still be sure to choose that group wisely and with their interests and yours in mind.
How do I choose my text?
How do I choose my text?
The text needs to be one of our assigned readings from the course schedule on the syllabus; it can be a poem, short story, novel, comic, etc. as long as it was something you were assigned to read for this class.
Since you will be the one initiating and thus likely sharing thoughts and asking prompting questions to keep the conversation going, choose a text that you will enjoy talking about, and that you think will draw out a discussion from both of you.
What do we talk about?
What do we talk about?
Anything related to the text and its topics! If the person you chose has a personal and/or professional connection that you think will bring them to a more engaged conversation related to the text and/or its topics, then you should start there.
Is there a moment from the text you wish to share with them and/or ask them about? Something you want their opinion on? A funny part or a part that you read that reminded you of them? It's a conversation, and thus can go in any direction you wish.
Keep in mind that you will be the one writing the essay about what you two spoke about, so if there's something you wish to write about, now's your opportunity to get their insights. At the same time, be open to letting the discussion wander; you never know what you'll discover about your audience, or about the text itself!
How do I start my essay? (What goes in the introduction?)
How do I start my essay? (What goes in the introduction?)
Since the genre for this essay is a reflection, you might start by reflecting on either of the following:
Tell us about the person who chose to have a conversation with, and why you chose them.
e.g., "My mom's experiences are not quite the same as Esperanza's, but the way she talks about home in The House on Mango Street reminds me a lot about what my mother talks about her own neighborhood. For example..."
Tell us about what specifically resonated with you about your chosen text and how that specific aspect of the text launched your conversation.
e.g., "I have always loved fairy tales and so does my roommate, so when I read Donoghue's Kissing the Witch, I first thought about how, in 'The Tale of the Shoe,' the protagonist..."
What should I include in my conclusion?
What should I include in my conclusion?
The last few paragraphs of your essay are a great place to reflect on four things:
what you thought about your conversation and the person you spoke to
something new or interesting you learned about yourself and/or that person from having this conversation
something new or interesting you learned about your chosen text as a result of having or even preparing for this conversation
a discovery you made about any topic(s) of discussion that relate to the text or the person to whom you were speaking
Detailed instructions are also above! Any more questions? Ask me!
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