What connections could you make to an essay you read? Have you ever been caught in a storm? Had an encounter with a stranger? Gotten into a fight? Been lost? Kept a dark secret? Been ashamed of your home? Moved? Found yourself in a dangerous situation? What emotions do these writers capture that you can relate to?
What process did the author of your favourite essay describe? What was the point of taking the reader through the process?
Which essay did you enjoy? What best describes the essay: argumentation OR persuasion? How do you know?
I always learn new ways to "turn a phrase" when I read great descriptive essays. What literary devices caught your attention in at least one of the essays? What would you like to mimic in your own writing?
Which of the compare/contrast essays got your attention? What method did the writers use to compare and contrast their subjects?
Today we're starting our exploration of essays written by well-known Canadian writers. Please include in your post:
1. The "title of the article" and the author 2. A brief (one sentence) summary of the essay. 3. One thing you enjoyed about the essay (quote/opinion/literary device) 4. How does it fit the model of the cause>event>effect essay? Example: I enjoyed reading Paul D'Angelo's essay "A Step Not Taken," in which he gives a very personal confession about the regret he feels when he does not help a crying man he encounters in an elevator. It is interesting that the reader never does find out what causes the broken man's tears; instead the writer lists numerous possibilities, all of which create sympathy for both the victim and the man who chose not to act. There are really two cause and event chains in the story: the crying man, for which we do not know the cause, and the choice not to act(event), which stems from the author's embarrassment and indecision (cause). The effect is a sense of remorse on the writer's part as well as pause for thought on the reader who recognizes her own tendency to shy away from uncomfortable situations. Start blogging by creating a new post. You can edit or delete me by clicking under the comments. You can also customize your sidebar by dragging in elements from the top bar.
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