Extended Scene Analysis |
|
Assignment Summary |
This
exercise follows the Extended Scene Writing
exercise. The class divides into small groups (3-4 people). Each person takes a turn reading their scene aloud. Writers and listeners should make a mental (or, preferably, a written) note of answer to the questions below. When each writer is done reading their scene, the group should discuss these questions. When everyone is finished, the group can decide which scene has the potential to be part of a good essay. Each student should explain aloud their reason for choosing that scene. WRITERS 1. What do you believe is or will be the main idea of your first essay? 2. Is there any way that the expanded scene you wrote can be used to support or develop this idea? READERS 1. Which parts of the extended scene did you like, and why? 2. Is there anything the writer could do to tighten up the scene without cutting out any interesting or important details? 3. If something "really happened" a certain way that comes across as unbelievable or less interesting in the scene, what can the reader do to remedy this? |
Instructor's Comments |
This exercise is meant to guide students' intuitive responses to writing rather than mold those responses. In response question three, "interesting or important" is defined by the students at this point. How they differ in defining them is a hotspot for discussion. The teacher may also wish to use these response questions for early drafts of the essays. Everyone--students and teachers--should strive to analyze their reasons for labeling writing as more or less effective. Regarding response question three, this is a good time to address a common
problem in writing instruction, creative and compositional--the assertion
or belief that truth-telling (confession) makes writing effective and
powerful. Developing writers often feel they should be rewarded for confessing
their deepest secrets. Teachers encourage or discourage this according
to their own taste and tolerance. I tend to find that whichever choice
the students make regarding this, their writing is improved when confession
is grounded in the environment in which it occurred. I tend to stress
the old fiction writers' rule of thumb--when you can, show rather than
tell; let your reader know the foundation for the experience. |
| genre | narrative |
| course | WRT 101 and up |
| activity type | small group discussion |
| skills | peer evaluation, analysis |
| duration | 1 class |
| materials/readings |
draft of narrative scene
(see Extended Scene Writing)
|
| handouts: | none |
| contributor: | Cynthia Davidson |