RHD

The issue for a writer is how to close the gap, often yawning, between the writer's subject and the reader's experience. Give one example of how Richard Harding Davis creates reader admiration and/or sympathy for Rodriguez in his story. You should cite a specific image, description, etc., rather than make a general statement. Notice, too, how he leads us to feel quite the opposite about the Spaniards.

Please respond by 4 p.m., Sunday.

Film Noir

Colin asked for a list of films noir at the end of class yesterday. Here are a few for those who might be interested:

Classics:

Out of the Past
Blue Dahlia
The Big Sleep
The Big Heat
Raw Deal
DOA
Shadow of a Doubt
Bad Day at Black Rock
Detour
Force of Evil
The Killers


More Contemporary:

Body Heat
Blood Simple
Miller's Crossing
Blade Runner

Quote UnQuote

Look over the quotes on writing and writers I handed out last class. Pick the one that resonates the most with you. Comment why (by 4 p.m., Wednesday). Be prepared to discuss your choice in class this Thursday.

Drift

Morris Markey's literary journalism piece, "Drift," belongs to a genre 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 four p.m., Sunday, Feb. 6.

Crane-ium

If you wish to answer another question besides the one below, try this: Why does Crane refer to the tramp as the "assassin" in "An Experiment in Misery"? Is the term serious? Sardonic? Metaphorical? Does it say as much about the youth as about the tramp? How so?


Is Stephen Crane's "Man Falls, a Crowd Gathers" news? Why or why not? (Feel free to respond to each other's comments, not just the question.) Your response is due by 4 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 2.

Welcome to the Funhouse

Tell me something I ought to know about you that will help me help you as a writer --your aspirations, your fears and doubts, your literary or journalistic heroes, etc. Don't be afraid to read and bounce off each other's comments. Your own comments should be as clear and complete as you can make them in a long paragraph (150 words or so). Remember this is my introduction to your writing. Impress me. Or at least don't bore me. (First lesson: That's about the worst thing you can do to a reader. What's the worst? Probably to unintentionally confuse him or her.)

Please respond no later than Sunday, January 30, at 4 p.m.

Literature of Journalism/2011

Please say hello by leaving a comment to this post. Tell me something about yourself that you think it would be helpful for me to know. It can be related to writing, literature, or journalism, but doesn't have to be. I should hear from you by Sunday, Jan. 23, at 6 p.m.