Monday, November 18

Finishing the film Throw Mama from the Train. HW: I will need to conduct writing conferences

Tuesday, November 19

Discussing the results from your weekend journal, about rude behavior. HW: No homework.

Wednesday, November 20

Today we will read Michael Lewis' "Jonathan Lebed's Extracurricular Activites," from the collection The New Kings of Non-fiction. While reading, I will want you to look at a) who the author uses dialogue, b) how the author organizes the work, c) how the author imbues journalistic style with the narrator's tone. HW: Complete a revision of your writer's autobiography for class on Monday. Finish reading the essay for Monday as well.

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Monday, November 25

Today we will begin in-class meetings about the writer's autobiography. While we are doing that, the class is going to watch a classic writing film, Throw Mama from the Train. HW: Reading your chosen memoir. Tomorrow you will report to class on where you are in the book (what % is finished/left to read).

Tuesday, November 26

The casting of lots for which essays will be discussed when. Over the next two weeks, we will discuss at least 2-3 essays per day. We will start with the author reading a representative passage and starting point of his/her choosing (no more than 1/2 a page). From there, we will begin discussing the interpretive questions the class had while reading. We will discuss constructively, but critically, looking at both what's done well and what needs improvement. Also, we will read a chapter from my memoir, "Free State," from Colin Broderick's That's That. HW: Reading your memoir over break.