Before completing your first discussion board, please read all of the essays posted in Week One and Week Two of the course schedule (located under the "Schedule" button at the top of the page).
Each of the readings for the first two weeks of the class provide an introduction to the basics of what constitutes the terms "narration" and "essay" and demonstrate the concepts of time and space that we will use to address the readings in the remainder of the class. For example, Catherine Ramsdell introduces how character and narrative speed/timing are essential in developing a dominant theme or impression in an essay. And Robert Atwan provides a short history of the term "essay" and argues for one modern definition of the term, that an essay, "enacts the processes and possibilities of thought and self-disclosure" (117). Each of the essays focuses on a particular theme or provides a way of looking at essays or narratives that will help us understand how authors manipulate time, space, detail and character for effect.
For the first discussion board, select five key concepts from the first weeks of the course that you found particularly helpful and that you would like to focus on as you write and revise your work in the class (the elements should come from multiple readings, but you can choose two from one reading if you wish). Spend some time considering what elements you choose because I will ask you to return to these elements as we write and revise the first essay and write the first reflection. Include paraphrases, summaries, or quotes from the readings, cited appropriately in MLA format in your initial post.
Once you have selected those elements, write about why you want those elements to be your focus for the first essay and why you found those particular elements/ideas helpful.
Post your original post by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 25. You will not be able to see your classmates' posts before you post, nor will you be able to edit your original post once it is posted. So please compose your initial post carefully.
Each of the readings for the first two weeks of the class provide an introduction to the basics of what constitutes the terms "narration" and "essay" and demonstrate the concepts of time and space that we will use to address the readings in the remainder of the class. For example, Catherine Ramsdell introduces how character and narrative speed/timing are essential in developing a dominant theme or impression in an essay. And Robert Atwan provides a short history of the term "essay" and argues for one modern definition of the term, that an essay, "enacts the processes and possibilities of thought and self-disclosure" (117). Each of the essays focuses on a particular theme or provides a way of looking at essays or narratives that will help us understand how authors manipulate time, space, detail and character for effect.
For the first discussion board, select five key concepts from the first weeks of the course that you found particularly helpful and that you would like to focus on as you write and revise your work in the class (the elements should come from multiple readings, but you can choose two from one reading if you wish). Spend some time considering what elements you choose because I will ask you to return to these elements as we write and revise the first essay and write the first reflection. Include paraphrases, summaries, or quotes from the readings, cited appropriately in MLA format in your initial post.
Once you have selected those elements, write about why you want those elements to be your focus for the first essay and why you found those particular elements/ideas helpful.
Post your original post by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 25. You will not be able to see your classmates' posts before you post, nor will you be able to edit your original post once it is posted. So please compose your initial post carefully.