Archives for February 5, 2015

HW12C due 2/6: The Encounter with Nothingness

February 5, 2015 By

1.  Read and annotate William Barrett’s The Encounter with Nothingness (Second reading in the packet). Be sure to read all three parts (the third part being Science and Finitude). Barrett’s reading will give us just a nugget of context before we move ahead. Remember, you must annotate all readings for this class! Failure to do so will result in a zero!  You will learn how to provide some focus to your annotations.  Ultimately, focused annotating prepares you for your reading responses, formal essays, and class discussions.  To annotate is to supply with critical or explanatory notes:

  • identifying lines that resonate with you, confuse you, or make you want to know more
  • asking questions of general thematic/philosophical value
  • tracking the development of a theme that may connect to one or more of the philosophical readings or other fiction.

HW12G due 2/6: Handouts and Six Words

February 5, 2015 By

1. Print out the following, put them in a folder and have them with you everyday in class!

2. Six Word Poem/Story

For Sale: Baby Shoes, Never Worn

Tonight, you will write the first draft of your six word poem/story. Consider each word and consider the story you want to communicate through those six words.  In the example above (attributed to Hemingway) there is great depth to that narrative. Imagine the joy, the anticipation, the inspiration, the anxiety, the tragedy, the despair behind those words… All of that and more communicated through six words. Be scrupulous in your selection of words, be thoughtful in your arrangement, be authentic in holistic composition.

3. By Monday, please have your dedicated notebook/journal for this class. I do not want binders…

4. The three rules of Poetry Seminar:

  • Take your time
  • Don’t be afraid
  • Always have a notebook with you (Fry)