Reflecting on essay ideas and/or possible essay directions

Five minute quick-write:

·      If you already have an idea for your topic or direction for Essay #1: Describe your general idea for your essay, briefly share how you got the idea, and where you think it might go

·      If you don’t have a clear idea yet: Look through the writing you’ve done in your notebook and identify two kernels of writing that you think could theoretically become an essay direction. Pick one to explore more and write about how it might become an essay, or combine the two, if that seems interesting. (If you don’t find any that seem promising, allow these bits of writing to jostle your mind and come up with something new. It’s OK if the idea doesn’t seem hugely promising––you can still use it for our purposes today.)

Twelve-minute walk-and-talk:

In pairs, walk toward Kenney along Stoughton and around the quad leading toward Beckman. As you walk, spend six or so minutes discussing one person’s essay ideas and six or so minutes discussing the other person’s. (I’ll let you know when six minutes have passed and you need to switch.) Each of you should share your ideas, then if there’s time, your partner should comment on what seems interesting and promising about the idea, and then share their ideas for things to consider in pursuing the idea. Bring your notebooks along.