As a student in Teaching Basic Writing over a decade ago, I wrote a personal experience essay about high-school high-jinks the night of my graduation. It was the usual "us-boys-could-really-party" cliche, done up in five pages; and the nicest thing one could say is that it was stylish but silly.
Naturally, the story had to have a "point." That was a stated requirement. I interpreted this as stuffing my essay with something of deep import to complement what was merely a superficial remembrance full of aimless, sophomoric humor. So I reached into my memory banks and came up with the Kent State University shootings. I guess it worked because I got an 'A' on the paper.
Now I am required to write a personal academic narrative, and I have a day in which to e-mail an idea or two to my professor. This is going to be tough! Looks like it's time for an attitude adjustment.
2 comments:
I usually just wait for an assignment topic to hit me. They seem to appear when I least expect it.
Ah, yes, down to the wire. Fun times. I find, much like Bryan, that topics just kind of appear when you don't expect it. Or, I go around bugging people to discuss random topics with me until that makes me think of something. Either way works fine for me!
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