Hi,
I spoke with Professor Marca before the afternoon class, and discovered that I had given you
exactly the wrong advice, in more than one way. I paid
extra-super-close attention to the afternoon discussion, and came away with a much better understanding of what your assignment is for Tuesday. Here is what I learned:
1. The item you are writing about
does not have to be a picture or story or song or other media text. It can also be
an object.
2. The idea is for you to choose something to which
you have a strong personal connection.
3. You should
imagine someone specific - or a certain group of people - to which you will write. This will sharpen your writing.
4. And you should have a
goal in mind.
(The last two of these are elements of the Rhetorical Package described on page 57 of
Rhetoric for Radicals.)
Here are a couple of examples I encountered in the afternoon class:
One person will write to her cousin (audience) about how the lyrics of her favorite song (item) could inspire her cousin to get out of a bad relationship (goal).
Another person will write to her uncle (audience) about how a Christmas card he sent her when she was three years old (item) is her most treasured possession, and how it has always kept her close to him though he lives in another country (goal).
Someone else will write to the other members of the class (audience). She will write about her basketball (item) to share with them about how the game of basketball has given shape and meaning to her life (goal).
A fourth student will write to his youngest brother (audience) about his mortarboard from high school graduation - that's the cap with the tassel hanging off it (item). He wants to inspire his younger brother to stay in school and follow his example (goal).
*****
Notice how specific these are. Notice how the items are all personally significant. The writers will tell why these things matter so much to them.
This is the main thing I did not understand before: we are
not trying to analyze the meaning of a song or a movie or a photograph to understand what the artist might have intended. If we are using a basketball or a mortarboard or a pair of ice skates or a bowling ball or a favorite shirt or a teddy bear or a favorite flower, then
there is no artist. What we are focused on here is
why we chose this item - what it means to us personally.
If the item you have chosen has no personal meaning to you,
choose another item.
Good luck with your writing. I hope this is helpful, and I look forward to seeing what you come up with. If you have any questions, post a comment to the blog, and I will answer it. (Maybe others will benefit from the exchange.)
Remember, this is due on Tuesday - either up on the blog, or printed out on paper.
-Paul
