Topic: “Let's Take the Long Way Home by Gail Caldwell”
Description:
1) Read the book. Take notes. Pay careful attention to what you admire about the writing style, as well as what you don't admire about it. Write down examples and page numbers or mark passages with post-it notes.
2) Write a brief (1000-1500 words, or approximately 4-6 double-spaced pages) paper that addresses the following: (3-4 pages):
- Identify two (no more, no fewer) craft techniques we have discussed in class (things like characterization, structure/organization of ideas, dialogue, detail/specificity, scene construction, etc.) that you notice the writer has utilized in the text.
- Discuss the effectiveness of the craft techniques you have identified. Point to two places (no more, no fewer) in the text where you see each these craft issues working/not working (i.e., two specific passages/pages for each of the craft techniques). Talk about how they work/don't work. What effect do they have on you as a reader? How does it influence your reading of the text (the way you enjoy it [or don't], the way you understand it [or don't], etc.)?
(1-2 pages):
What do you think you can learn from this text about the art of writing creative nonfiction? What does the writer do that you would like to do in your own work? What does the writer do that you want to avoid in your own work?
How does this text fit your own aesthetic preferences? In other words, do you think this is good writing? Is this the kind of thing that you typically like to read, or that you typically like to write? Why or why not?