Day 8

Tues. Apr. 21

• Mini-lecture: “form“

• The Proverbs of Hell: Introduction to aphorisms

• Share details from “Uncle Pat”

• Reading by Irene

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Homework

➤ Begin working on Essay 3

Your “Character in Context” essay is due Friday, May 1 at 9:15am. It might be a good idea to start working on it, or at least start thinking about who to write about.

➤ Read “The Man Who Eats” and “Mazie” (excerpts)

These are both pretty long, so if your time is limited I’d recommend you focus on the one that matches the genre you’re planning on writing in (“The Man Who Eats” for memoir; “Mazie” for journalism). However, please make sure at least read the first couple pages of each.

As you read, keep your eyes out for these things and try to find at least one of them. Mark them so you’re able to share them in class.

Things to look for:

• Physical description of a character’s appearance

• A list of concrete objects

• An anecdote about a character (something they once did)

• A description of a character’s habits (something they always or often do or did)

• An aphorism that reflects the character’s values or worldview

• Something another character says about that character

• A description of the character acting in a scene (physical action)

• Quotation or dialogue that captures a character’s voice

➤ Write your own aphorisms

Choose one of the “Proverbs of Hell” you find interesting and write three more aphorisms, using different language, reflecting the same “kernel of truth” that the original proverb conveys. (In other words, use one proverb to generate three new proverbs.)