9.26 Brainstorming for Essay 1 & Segmented essays

Finding a compelling focus:  The idea was that this week's brainstorming and planning would get you deep into your material => open up ideas that present more than one straight through telling of an event + a clear, unconflicted statement of "what it means."   It is hard to tell, but talking in your groups during the first part of class seemed to open up, deepen, re-cast some of the writing I saw posted on your blogs = and that is excellent for this stage of the planning process.  I hope to be looking at blogs later today - and to give you some feedback early in your composing process - since full drafts are due next week.

Thinking about form:  During the second part of class we discussed Robert Root's essay on segmentation - and took a close look at Mimi Schwartz's elegant use of the segments in "What my father always said."  She didn't simply break the time into six scenes - each scene focuses on a time which grounds the events - but it  is also infused with perspectives from times outside of those events.  Her essay doesn't quite fit into any of the classification systems posed by Root - and that is just fine.  As we discussed in class, her use of segmentation compresses and sharpens her material - so that there is more information - and more possibility for rich interpretation  - than there would be if the story were told as a more straightforward, unsegmented essay.  With segmentation - what is in each segment and the combinations of different elements in different segments - are part of the narrative information.

Drafts due next week:  The length for drafts is posted with the assignment sheet, and I am looking for some serious - though not highly polished - work.  Put your ideas out there - try out an arrangement.  You might add a note at the beginning or the end to suggest ideas you are still working with or features of the draft you would like me to comment on.  Resist the temptation to "finish" your work - rather keep thinking about what might deepen the story, open up the idea, tighten the focus, or how to arrange the conceptual "story" in just the right sequence.

Conferences:  You will receive feedback through one-on-one conferences with me, in my office= CAS 324. The schedule is posted below.

Monday October 8
1:00 Andre; 1:15 Maria; 1:30 Luis; 2:00 Allyson; 2:15 Lewis

Tuesday October 9
1:00 Paris; 1:15 Heather; 1:30 Andrea; 1:45 Midiyna; 2:00 Sara

Wednesday October 10
1:15 Ashley; 1:30 Jay; 2:15 Roshell
7:15: Arlette  + Jameelah

If you can't keep your appointment - send an email so I can schedule with other students

For next class:

Read: McPhee, p. 128, "Search for Marvin Gardens"

Blog 4:  Draft Long essay 1

Spend some time with McPhee.  This is another, slightly different use of segmentation.  The focus of this essay unfolds as you read so keep asking yourself - what IS he writing about?

I am REALLY looking forward to reading your essays.  See you in class!