Pages
Categories
Meta
Monthly Archives: October 2009
The conventions of literary fiction
I’ve mentioned Robert Boswell’s excellent The Half-Known World: On Writing Fiction here before. One of his essays includes this paragraph: This could be material at the heart of a literary story. It makes the events the result of motivated action rather … Continue reading
Posted in Writing tools
Leave a comment
Including alternative/opposing views
Thesis Statements To make thesis statements more obvious, consider the following: Thesis statements are always statements. While they often answer questions, they are not questions themselves. A thesis is a one-sentence summary answer to the question that leads to the … Continue reading
Posted in Writing tools (non-fiction)
Leave a comment
Franklin as text
•What models does Franklin encounter? How do they influence him? •What texts did Franklin find compelling? Why? “Texts” might include behaviors. •List differences between Franklin’s values and those of the people around him. List commonalities. •How does Franklin understand the world? … Continue reading
Posted in American literature
Leave a comment
Characterization
Characterization Techniques (three sets of prompts) To begin developing a character, answer these questions. What does the character look like? Describe him or her. Where was the character born? What was his or her upbringing like? What do the character’s … Continue reading
Posted in Writing tools
Leave a comment
Found freewriting
Revise this material into a prose poem. Remember that revision often includes the addition of new material and review the “definitions” of prose poetry that we’ve discussed: We will try this at least for today.. I’ll k\need it later in … Continue reading
Posted in Writing tools
Leave a comment
