Why I Write

Read Orwell's essay "Why I Write," which is available online as well as in the class handout. Respond to it with comments on why you write. Is it for the same reasons Orwell cites? Your comments are due Wednesday, March 13, 4 p.m.

Story Idea/Target Publication

Please briefly describe the subject of your literary journalism piece  Keep in mind Henry James' criteria for judging a piece of writing: 1) What is the writer trying to achieve? 2) Did the writer achieve it? 3) Was it worth achieving? The last is also the most important.


Also, identify at least two publications (from the directories I showed in class) that you are considering submitting to.


Your response is due by 4 p.m., Wed., Feb. 28.

Didion on Los Angeles

http://www.bu.edu/agni/essays/print/2006/63-birkerts.html

Explain why or why not you think Didion's piece meets Birkerts' definition of "traction." Please respond by 4 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20.

Please be advised that late responses receive an F.

"Drift"

Morris Markey's piece, "Drift," belongs to a subgenre referred to as "the procedural." To your mind, what characteristics of the piece make it an example of the genre? How does this help with or determine the structure/organization of the piece?

The piece has a noir-ish atmosphere. What is the connection of that atmosphere to the point or theme of the piece?

Remember, we're practicing good writing here, not just literary analysis. Your comments should be crisp and clear. Avoid generalizations, tortured syntax, and muddy language.

Your response is due by 4 p.m., Wed., Feb. 13.

Experiment in Misery

Please follow the link below. How is its discussion or definition of "creative nonfiction" applicable to Stephen Crane's piece, "An Experiment in Misery"?




http://billanddavescocktailhour.com/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-truth-in-nonfiction-but-were-afraid-to-ask-a-bad-advice-cartoon-essay/

Crane-ium

Please respond two of the following question:

1) What seems to you "modern" about Stephen Crane's "When Man Falls, Crowd Gathers"? Voice? Style? Structure? Theme? Please elaborate.

2) Please follow the link below. How is its discussion or definition of "creative nonfiction" applicable to Stephen Crane's piece, "An Experiment in Misery"?


http://billanddavescocktailhour.com/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-truth-in-nonfiction-but-were-afraid-to-ask-a-bad-advice-cartoon-essay/

3)

Due Tuesday, Sept. 3, by 4 p.m.

Welcome to Lit of J

http://www.slideshare.net/wjbriggs/25-writing-tips-from-25-great-writers?ref=http://episodicmag.blogspot.com/


Which piece of advice in the slide show above means the most to you? Why?

Tell me something I ought to know about you that will help me help you as a writer -- your aspirations, your fears and doubts,  etc.

Your comments should be as clear and complete as you can make them in a  blog post. Remember this is my introduction to your writing. Impress me. Or at least don't bore me. (Lesson #1: Boring readers is among the worst things you can do to them. What's the worst? Probably to unintentionally confuse them.)

Please respond no later than  Sunday at 4 p.m.