Forums

Continue to respond to David's work here. What do you notice? What works? What would you have wanted him to do differently?  Any beautiful sentences?

How would you characterize Harriet's voice in this piece? Does it draw you in or push you away? Neither? Both? Please give examples of what you think works and/or what doesn't. Also, can you identify 'a beautiful sentence?'

Respond to whatever strikes you in this piece of creative nonfiction: language, tone, structure, images, where she takes you, how you live through her experiences. Please copy out the sentences that, in your opinion, are most effective and explain why.

I expect you to read _On Austrian Soil_ over the spring break. You are welcome to respond here to whatever strikes you in any of the chapters: tone, structure, style, research methods I used, issues related to writing about other people and their history, my own personal growth and change, the question of identity, the question of forgiveness, how all of this relates to teaching and pedagogy (my own and yours), and so on. Post your responses to the first half of the book by April 20.   Post your responses to the second half by April 27. Also, please make a list of questions you'd like to ask me and bring those to class on 4/21 (for the first half) and 4/28 (for the second half). Most of all, I hope you enjoy the reading and take something important away from it.    

Revealing Secrets, Writing Poems lets you in on personal parts of my life. You are free to respond in any way you like.

Respond by thinking about the ethical issues that arise when writing about other people, especially those you know. What struggles have you encountered while composing creative nonfiction? Would you share what you've written this term with those you have written about?