Shitty First Drafts and The Writing Process

***Come to class with one copy of Assignment 1 draft***

Discussion Leaders
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Quick Write:

In response to Anne Lamott's "Shitty First Drafts" write about a paragraph answering one or several of the following questions:

1.Lamott says that the perceptions most people have of how writers work is

different from the reality of the work itself. She refers to this in paragraph 1 as

“the fantasy of the uninitiated.” What does she mean?

2. In paragraph 7 Lamott refers to a time when, through experience, she

“eventually let [herself] trust the process – sort of, more or less.” She is

referring to the writing process, of course, but why “more or less”? Do you

think that her wariness is personal, or is she speaking for all writers in this

regard? Explain.

3. From what Lamott has to say, is writing a first draft more about the product or

the process? Do you agree in regard to your own first drafts? Explain.

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In Class:

THE PROCESS OF WRITING

The Process of Writing PPT
Reverse Outlining and Developing Paragraphs exercise

Homework:

1) Revise your draft of assignment 1 and bring a hard copy or a copy on a laptop to class on Tuesday to share with classmates.

2) Read Michael Chabon"Manhood for Amateurs: The Wilderness of Childhood" online at http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2009/jul/16/manhood-for-amateurs-the-wilderness-of-childhood/  by 1/17. Print it out or bring it to class on a laptop, and be ready to discuss it. 

3) Read Everything’s an Argument p.95- 129 by 1/24

4) Sign up to be a discussion leader by Friday 1/13

5) Look for the complete reading list on blackboard by the end of Friday