TEXT RESPONSES
The text responses are a way to help you digest and solidify your understanding of the texts we’re engaging with by creating connections with other class texts.
WHAT TEXT RESPONSES SHOULD DO
1. Select one concept/issue/idea that shows up in two class texts (do not use more than two) and compare how it is handled by each text. You may want to ask yourself the following questions as you write: What are the differences between the ways each text handles the concept/issue/idea? How do the two visions presented of the concept/issue/idea complement each other? Is there one version that you agree with more and why? Can both versions coexist, and if so, what do they add to each other?
2. You can also use these responses as a way to explore how these texts help you think about your own memoir project. Is there something you would like to imitate? Is there something you would like to avoid? Have they helped you see your project in a new way? While this approach to the text responses is optional, I suggest trying it for at least one of the responses so you can start articulating how your own memoir project fits with what has already been published in the field.
3. You will write four text responses throughout the semester. Text responses are due by class time on the day we’re discussing the texts you wrote about. Most days have various assigned texts you can discuss, but some days there is only one text. If you want to write about a text that has been assigned on its own, you can tie it to a text from another day and submit on the day either text is being discussed. You can submit only one response per class, so make sure to give yourself plenty of time to work on these throughout the semester (in other words: don’t wait until the end of the semester to complete this assignment).
WHAT TEXT RESPONSES SHOULD AVOID
1. Do not bring in outside research. Use the two texts you have selected exclusively.
2. Avoid spending too much time discussing whether or not you liked a text and why. Your focus is to compare how the texts handle the concept/issue/idea you have selected and optionally to think about how these texts help you think about your own memoir.
3. Do not go under 1,000 words or over 1,200 words. One of the most important skills I developed in graduate school was to express meaningful ideas succinctly and I learned it through assignments like this one. Please stay within the word limit and push yourself to say something of substance in this short form. Having this ability will prove invaluable to you throughout your career.
TEXT RESPONSE DELIVERY
Please complete your responses in Microsoft Word and title each document using your last name and Text Response #, i.e. Smitherman Text Response 1. You will email each response to [email protected]. The subject of your email should be your last name and Text Response #, i.e. Smitherman Text Response 1.
QUESTIONS
If you have questions about this assignment, feel free to email me, stop by my office hours, or make an appointment.
WHAT TEXT RESPONSES SHOULD DO
1. Select one concept/issue/idea that shows up in two class texts (do not use more than two) and compare how it is handled by each text. You may want to ask yourself the following questions as you write: What are the differences between the ways each text handles the concept/issue/idea? How do the two visions presented of the concept/issue/idea complement each other? Is there one version that you agree with more and why? Can both versions coexist, and if so, what do they add to each other?
2. You can also use these responses as a way to explore how these texts help you think about your own memoir project. Is there something you would like to imitate? Is there something you would like to avoid? Have they helped you see your project in a new way? While this approach to the text responses is optional, I suggest trying it for at least one of the responses so you can start articulating how your own memoir project fits with what has already been published in the field.
3. You will write four text responses throughout the semester. Text responses are due by class time on the day we’re discussing the texts you wrote about. Most days have various assigned texts you can discuss, but some days there is only one text. If you want to write about a text that has been assigned on its own, you can tie it to a text from another day and submit on the day either text is being discussed. You can submit only one response per class, so make sure to give yourself plenty of time to work on these throughout the semester (in other words: don’t wait until the end of the semester to complete this assignment).
WHAT TEXT RESPONSES SHOULD AVOID
1. Do not bring in outside research. Use the two texts you have selected exclusively.
2. Avoid spending too much time discussing whether or not you liked a text and why. Your focus is to compare how the texts handle the concept/issue/idea you have selected and optionally to think about how these texts help you think about your own memoir.
3. Do not go under 1,000 words or over 1,200 words. One of the most important skills I developed in graduate school was to express meaningful ideas succinctly and I learned it through assignments like this one. Please stay within the word limit and push yourself to say something of substance in this short form. Having this ability will prove invaluable to you throughout your career.
TEXT RESPONSE DELIVERY
Please complete your responses in Microsoft Word and title each document using your last name and Text Response #, i.e. Smitherman Text Response 1. You will email each response to [email protected]. The subject of your email should be your last name and Text Response #, i.e. Smitherman Text Response 1.
QUESTIONS
If you have questions about this assignment, feel free to email me, stop by my office hours, or make an appointment.