Death of Rodriguez/Juke Joint

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.

Or you can describe the function of the songs and song titles in Walter Bernstein's "Juke Joint." Cite a specific instance from the story to illustrate your point.

Story Structure

Both "Drift" and "Los Angeles Notebook" are composed of discrete episodes or scenes, but despite this similarity, the overall stories are organized in radically different ways. Please explain by midnight Tuesday, Sept. 16, how the basic structures of the stories differ and the possible reasons, thematic and otherwise, for the differences.

Crane-ium

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.)

Welcome to Version Fall.08

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.)

Why I Write

Read the essay "Why I Write," which is available through a link on the lower right hand corner of this page. Respond to it with comments on why you write. Is it for the same reasons Orwell cites? Didion? Kessler? Your comments are due before the start of our last class, Wednesday, Dec. 5.

Quotable

Look over the quotes on writing and writers in the far right column. Pick the one that resonates the most with you. Comment why. Be prepared to discuss your choice in class this Wednesday.

Marrakech

"I am not commenting, merely pointing to a fact," George Orwell writes toward the end of "Marrakech." Do you believe him? Why or why not?