Laura T. Smith: Teaching

Informal Writing: Mini-Compositions (14%)

You must submit seven informal writing assignments, in the style of 300 word (or so) mini-compositions, throughout the semester. You will write them all on your individual blog, accessible through the class website. You may choose which weeks you would like to submit these.

Suggested topics will be posted each week under “Forum Topics” on the course website, but you don't have to use these. Instead, you may prefer to respond freely about your engagements with the reading, the class, or literature/aesthetics-related news and events, as long as your responses are specific and incisive.

Informal writing is primarily intended to help you engage with the week's reading; therefore, most of your posts should respond directly to the assigned reading. I'm also interested, however, in how you're applying the issues and ideas from class to life outside of class. Therefore, I'm happy for you to write a couple blogs that don't don't focus specifically (or solely) on the week's reading.

Though these writings are informal, they should still be substantive; that is, when you write about the course reading, you should engage seriously, usually focusing on one or two ideas. When you write about the world, stay equally focused on a point you want to make or explore. (Choosing a focus will help you avoid rambling or lapsing into meaningless generalities.) You might discuss a favorite passage, offer an interpretation, respond to someone else’s composition, pose a question for us to deal with during class discussion, or connect the reading to previous readings or to materials or contexts you’re encountered in other classes. Informal writing is often where fabulous and original paper topics are born, so engage with it seriously.

Each week, position papers are due by Thursday at noon.