SFW 1-2, Prompt & Focus
Read chapters 1 and 2 of SF Writer, and complete a worksheet designed to help you focus your ideas for Ex 1-1.
The worksheet:
The worksheet:
Ex 1-1 asks you to show me your passion. Nowhere in your
paragraph do I want to see a line such as "My passion is cooking," or
"Of all the things I love in the world, I most love the time between
midnight and 2am, when everyone in my house is asleep." Both of those
lines TELL the passion, without drawing on examples that provide
evidence that enables the reader to see independently the depths of
that passion. For a good example of what I mean, see the "fido" and
"Lucinda" examples on this handout: "Show, Don't (Just) Tell"
Work through the process described on page 17 of the SF Writer, "Finding a Topic." (You won't need to do outside research, and you won't need to go to the writing center, but the other points on that list will be relevant.)
Open a blank word processor file, and type in your answers to these questions. Make sure you can access this file during class today, when I will tell you how to submit it.
1) Possible Topics
List three possible topics.
1A, 1B, 1C
For each possible topic, identify 2-4 examples that SHOW your passion. Thus, if your passion is "organization," you might mention "High school locker, auto maintenance schedule, and career planing."
2) Telling
For each possible example, write down in simple, plain terms what the example is supposed to TELL. (Something like, "I really miss Fido" or "I haven't come to terms with Fido's death.") Your goal is to avoid using any explicit TELLING, because readers will find your expressive writing more engaging if, instead of simply announcing or listing your feelings, you pull the reader into your world, and make your reader feel what you felt.
3) Showing
For each potential example, write down an incident or a specific incident that makes the reader feel the emotions you felt. (Something like "I still haven't moved Fido's bowl from his favorite spot" or "This morning I filled up his water bowl before I remembered he is dead."
4) Choose
Of your three possible topics, choose the one that you found easiest to "SHOW". (This may not be the thing you are most passionate about.) Which did you choose, and why?
Work through the process described on page 17 of the SF Writer, "Finding a Topic." (You won't need to do outside research, and you won't need to go to the writing center, but the other points on that list will be relevant.)
Open a blank word processor file, and type in your answers to these questions. Make sure you can access this file during class today, when I will tell you how to submit it.
1) Possible Topics
List three possible topics.
1A, 1B, 1C
For each possible topic, identify 2-4 examples that SHOW your passion. Thus, if your passion is "organization," you might mention "High school locker, auto maintenance schedule, and career planing."
2) Telling
For each possible example, write down in simple, plain terms what the example is supposed to TELL. (Something like, "I really miss Fido" or "I haven't come to terms with Fido's death.") Your goal is to avoid using any explicit TELLING, because readers will find your expressive writing more engaging if, instead of simply announcing or listing your feelings, you pull the reader into your world, and make your reader feel what you felt.
3) Showing
For each potential example, write down an incident or a specific incident that makes the reader feel the emotions you felt. (Something like "I still haven't moved Fido's bowl from his favorite spot" or "This morning I filled up his water bowl before I remembered he is dead."
4) Choose
Of your three possible topics, choose the one that you found easiest to "SHOW". (This may not be the thing you are most passionate about.) Which did you choose, and why?
Categories: readings
i actually did not read the reading yet because i just got the book..but i will read it whenever i go to my doorm
I did not read the assignment because when I went to the bookstore they did not have anymore of this book. Therefore I had to wait and check right before class if they had received anymore.
I did not read the assignment because when I went to the bookstore they did not have anymore of this book. Therefore I had to wait and check right before class if they had received anymore.
I found the Writers at Work sections interesting because they provided personal insights into all the different ways we as students can utilize our writing talents and passion in the future of our careers.
Does reading chapter 1 and 2 help you with the writing?
in chapter one it talks about the different writing styles some of those writing styles I used in high school and was wondering if we were going to use them in this class because they expressed a lot about me as a writer.
I liked chapter 2 better then chapter 1.
I think it was very helpful it taught me more than i knew about writing and how to get my thoughts portrayed to the reader in a way that would make the reader want to read more
The reading helped to answer some questions I had about writing.
The reading wad helpful. It reminded me of some of the small things I usually forget to remember when writing.
The section of the reading that stood out the most to me was the section that talked about "Writing for Some Purpose." In my opinion, some of the best writing (and work in general) is done when driven by purpose. Before you can set out and accomplish something, you have to be driven by the need or desire to do it.
I just purchased the book this morning because this was the quickest i could afford it. I apologize and i will read the pages that we were assigned, as soon as possible so that i will be caught up with everyone else
I am going to be honest I didnt read the whole thing but from what I read most of it I learned from my high school english classes
Grace: I thought the Writers at Work feature is one of the most appealing things about the book.
Laura, Bianca and Michael: I'm glad to know the book is making useful points for you.
Candis... what do *you* think?
Brendan: Sometimes my purpose when I try a new thing is simply to explore, or see what I can do with a new tool, but you're right, having a specific focus and understanding the reason for an assignment generally makes me feel more confident and more efficient when I work.
For those of you who haven't yet read the chapters, I'd welcome your thoughts when you're ready to share them.