Week 8 (On Writing Assignments)

So now you're on your own with regards to stories or poems... If you've been burning to write what you want, go forth happily.

If you're still feeling timid or you've got writer's block, I'll be posting weekly prompts in the sidebar. Because the fiction prompts accumulate, the poetry is pretty far down the sidebar. Just keep scrolling & you'll find it.

You don't have to use the prompt from any specific week, either. If you like a prompt this week, but have a good idea anyway, go ahead and use it some other time.

Week 8

Due by 2pm on March 3:

Read the following pieces and answer the discussion questions. Some people have been doing too much work, so I've given a guideline for how much I expect you to write to answer each question below. If you're confused, send me an email.


Nathaniel Hawthorne “Young Goodman Brown” SAW p.528 (Kristina)
How is this story still relevant to readers in 2011? (1-2 sentences) Re-write a paragraph of your choice in casual, 21st century American English. (1 paragraph)

Anne Sexton CAP p.431-437 (Kaitlyn)
Choose one poem from the selection and describe that poem in terms of the poetic devices she uses. (2-3 sentences)

Sylvia Plath CAP p. 405-409 (Nathan)
Choose one of the poems that struck an emotional chord for you. Google/Research the poem and see what kind of reception the poem received upon publication. Are you surprised? Disappointed? (1-2 sentences)

Week 7

Read the following stories. What do they remind you of in your own life or in popular culture? How are the stories written? Who are the stories trying to reach---that is, who are the intended audiences?

Then, write a few sentences that serve as an example of how you might emulate each writing style or theme.

Junot Diaz “How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie” SAW p.385 (Matt)
David Foster Wallace “Good People” SAW p. 1341 (Sosuke)
John Updike “A & P” SAW p.1313