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In this, the final writing project of the term, you may choose between composing a personal
essay (akin to those in Lopate's anthology) or taking a more objective approach to a
subject in an informative essay (closer in spirit to the first two projects).
Approximate length: 1,500-2,000 words.
Final revision due: Monday, December 6.
Please revisit this page every few days for frequent updates to the assignment guidelines.
PERSONAL ESSAY: In
this assignment, we are composing a personal or familiar essay--a composition in which our
distinctive (and carefully crafted) persona interacts with a particular experience or
person or place or idea (or series of experiences, people, places, or ideas) to
discover the humor, sadness, wisdom, and/or truth of our subject. (In addition to
Lopate's introductory definitions of the form--and thus of this assignment--we'll be
looking at ways that other essayists perceive the personal or familiar essay.) This
assignment is not primarily an argument or "opinion piece" (i.e., an
editorial) nor does it call for the sort of private writing or "baring of the
soul" associated with confessional writing or journal entries. Though the
"I" in this essay will have a significantly more dominant role than in the
travel essay or profile, we are still writing with an adult audience beyond ourselves
in mind.
Visit the PERSONAL ESSAY page
for brainstorming questions and updates on assignment guidelines. Brief
responses to these brainstorming questions are due on Wednesday, November 17.
INFORMATIVE ESSAY: In
this assignment, we are writing an informative essay on a subject of particular interest
to us: a subject that we have researched thoughtfully and/or experienced first-hand. Our
aim is to inform our readers (an audience of our peers--mature, intelligent, and worldly
wise) about the distinctive qualities of the subject we have chosen and to inform them in
such a way that our readers, too, may become interested in our subject. The initial
challenge will probably be to focus the topic and find an effective angle (we don't want
the article to sound like anencyclopedia entry, for instance, or a term paper). As
in the last two assignments, the slant of the essay will not be primarily personal;
through close observation and factual investigation, we should attempt to convey what we
perceive to be the essence of our subject.
Visit the INFORMATIVE ESSAY page
for brainstorming questions (to appear later in the week) and updates on assignment
guidelines.
FORMAT
The final version of the essay should be word processed, following the format below.
Submit the essay in a pocket folder (no
clasps, staples, or plastic spines): most recent version on top, rough(er) versions below.
Following your essay, provide a brief
self-evaluation by responding to these questions:
1. What part of this profile do you like most, and why?
2. What part gave you the most difficulty? Explain.
3. What is your overall evaluation of the profile--its particular strengths and possible
weaknesses?
Please be as specific as you can in your answers.
Manuscript format
Bring to class the finished profile (word processed, normal 12-point font, clearly and
sharply printed) as well as all transcripts and drafts. Double space all text. Set
one-inch margins: top, bottom, left, and right.
Your Name
Personal Essay
Your e-mail address
Draft (1 or 2)
Date due
approx.#
of words
Tentative Title of Your Essay
Begin essay here . . . |
