This is a zany story full of stylistic acrobats and delicious, muscular turns of phrase. Since a part of your first major writing assignment this quarter (Style Memo portion of Vignettes) is all about analyzing and imitating writing style, it’s important that we practice how to understand the hallmarks of a writer’s style, across multiple texts or sections (as we will with Cannery Row, next). We’re using Russell for this practice.

1. Russell probably uses some words you’ve never heard before in this story. So on your first read, make a list of those words and look them up as you go. Include your list here.
2. How often does Russell use figurative language (similes, metaphors, descriptive imagery of any kind) in her writing? Describe her writing style in your own words, and from your own point of view, using 3-5 specific adjectives to show what you mean. How would you describe her writing style? Be original.
3. Examine the following passage:

“The forest at night is full of friendly menace. It blurs and ashes all around us, a dark dream of itself. Rain runs down the skinned black hands of the trees, down the white mushrooms that push their tiny faces from the logs. Frogs jump from the branches like spry blemishes. We flinch beneath the leaf-swung shadows, the winged attack of lunatic moths. The forest gives me all sorts of reasons to reach out and hold Emma’s hand” (Russell).

In this batch of study questions, you’re going to take some first steps toward writing an extended close reading of a passage. To do that, answer the following questions in paragraph form:

• What specific words and descriptions stand out to you most in this passage? Try to find at least one word and/or description from each sentence. Use quotes!
• Why do each of these examples stand out to you? What do they have in common? Start to draw connections between them, and be specific. Remember, this is subjective. There is no right answer.
• Based on the evidence you’ve gathered, what message is Russell sending about the “the forest at night?” Messages might be about the atmosphere, theme, or metaphorical meaning of the “forest at night.” There is no right interpretation of the passage and no wrong message!
• HOW did you make this interpretation? Meaning: Which evidence did you use to come to this conclusion, and why?
• BONUS. Feeling brave? Answer this question: How is Russell’s description of the forest related to Elijah’s feelings for Emma? Why? Go for it!

For this course, students are required to write three critical commentaries. Commentary #1 is due online by 9 am on January 30th. This commentary should explore topics in the readings assigned through January 30th.

The aim of each paper is comparative inquiry and analysis, not mere description. The emphasis is on reasoning and critical thinking. It is not enough simply to recapitulate what each reading has to say about a given theme. You must compare and contrast what they have to say about a topic of your own choosing. To do this, you must evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the types of analysis and theories presented, and offer some conclusion of your own. Thus, each paper should include the following:

• A clear, persuasive introduction with an explicit thesis statement and a roadmap to tell me where and what you will try to demonstrate in the paper.
• A very brief summary or literature review of the selected readings for the paper, with an emphasis on key arguments, type of analysis and conclusions found in each work. Avoid summarizing details. Stick to the main points.
• A brief summary of the theme to be discussed in your paper. What are the issues involved and why are they important? What do we learn from each paper?
• A comparative inquiry and analysis of what the readings have to say about the theme. What do we learn from these discussions? How does the chosen analysis advance or weaken the key arguments? Which cultural or political perspectives are at play? What remains to be learned?

Important Notes:

• Papers are due online on before the start of class (9:00 am). Late papers will be accepted by email for up to 48 hours, but will receive a deduction for tardiness.
• Each of the three papers should be 5-8 pages double-spaced with normal 1” margins and 12 pt., Times New Roman font.
• All papers must be in APA style and include in-text citations and a full bibliography.
• In grading your commentaries, I will evaluate the ideas you present, how you link your ideas to course materials and how well the paper is organized and executed. A rubric is available on Canvas for further information.

You are expected to (1) read the selected article carefully and thoughtfully so that you fully understand it, (2) prepare a 2-3 page outline of that article’s contents, and (3) present a 10-12 minute informative talk about that article to the seminar. Details for the outline and talk follow.

The Outline: At the top of the first page of your outline provide an accurate citation for the article or chapter using a proper style format. That citation should consist of author, title, journal, year, volume number, issue number, and pages. Prepare the outline using a consistent system of symbols with proper indentation that exhibits idea relationships in the work outlined.

You need to prepare a oral presentation outline for rhetorical study. The article signed.

Convince your classmates that they should read a particular book about the 80s. Remember, you are not just saying a book is your favorite or that it’s a great read. You must argue how the book is a good supplement to the National Geographic programs.

The Assignment:

• Choose a book from those posted in Assignments. One student per book, please.
• Prepare a visual (PowerPoint) presentation.
• No more than 8 slides:
  • Title slide with title of book and your name
  • Claim
  • 2 specific examples from the book to support your claim — if you quote, you will need to provide a works cited slide
  • Conclusion to support claim
• Be sure that you consider the objectives of the course and your classmates as the intended audience. Then your argument should show how your recommended book is a good or poor supplement.

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