Poor Lizbeth…

After talking AP-testing, let’s talk just a bit about how the Immersive (Immersible? Immersion? Immeasurable?) Writing is going. Have you immersed? Will you immerse? What about the issue of your attitude towards the subject and the degree to which you are a participant. And…what is creative nonfiction anyway?

Then, let’s talk dumpsters. We’ll read out loud the first five paragraphs and decide on how Eighner uses language and which of the LEP triad is most prominent. Then, we’ll have a short writing response:

1. What is the effect of Eighner’s attention to language in the first five paragraphs? Does this opening appeal more to ethos, logos, or pathos? Explain.

2. In paragraph 7, Eighner identifies the rhetorical direction he plans to follow. What is the effect of such information?

3. Note the technical and clinical nature of much of part one in the essay. In paragraph 19, for example, he writes of de-emulsification and the behavior of pathogens. What is the effect of such scientific language and information?

4. Identify and explain two examples of irony in the section about the students (paragraphs 25-30).

5. Paragraph 37 concludes, “I do not want to paint too romantic a picture. Dumpster diving has serious drawbacks as a way of life.” What is the effect of these sentences? What is their rhetorical purpose?

Did you know you can read Lars’ blog?

Next, we’ll talk about the second section and how it differs in style and purpose. In small groups, we’ll imagine that this piece was in the newspaper and your group wants to respond to it:

1. What is your group’s name and purpose?
2. What argument would you make that defends, challenges, or qualifies Eighner’s piece?
3. What evidence would you use to make your case?

Next, we’re going to read a section (the first 7 paragraphs) from Hemingway’s “Death in the Afternoon.” Let’s talk mostly about how Hemingway presents his attitude towards the subject in a complex way and how he uses language to create a persona.

HW: Read Amy Tan’s Mother Tongue in 50 Essays. Make your written response more personal.  What are your memories and associations with English and words? How do you think about the way you might change Englishes for different groups?  What about your reaction to people who speak English in ways that are different than yours (accents, ELL, slang and jargon)?  Are you a purist or a realist when it comes to language?

Image Credit: larseighner.com