WRITING
ABOUT THE
HUMANITIES
2367, SP14
FOUR CHAPTERS
Chapter 1: Skills
Chapter 2: Overview
Chapter 5: Writing About Fiction
Chapter 7: Writing About Film
1: SKILLS
Pre-Writing:
1) Lists (2-3)
2) Annotation (3-4)
3) Freewriting (4-6)
4) Summarizing/Analyzing (6-8)
1: SKILLS
Writing:
1) Draft (8-10)
2) Editing/Proofreading (11-13)
3) Revision (10-11)
2: OVERVIEW
General Approach to Writing the
Humanities:
1) React to Understand
2) Interpret to Explain
3) Evaluate for Significance
2: OVERVIEW
React to understand (20-26):
• Emotions stirred
• Felt Reaction
• Influence
• Impression
The Starry Night (21-23)
Sexton’s “Starry Night” (23-24)
The Starry Night Context (24-25)
2: OVERVIEW
Interpret to explain (26-3):
DiYanni’s model:
1)
Observe Details
2)
Connect Observations
3)
Develop Inferences
4)
Draw Conclusions from Inferences
My model:
1) Make a claim.
2) Establish warrants for the claim.
3) Test the warrants against others that support alternate claims.
4) Outline the conclusions of the claim, if the warrant is true.
2: OVERVIEW
Evaluate for significance (33-36):
Values?
Class discussion.
Exercise on p 35.
5: FICTION
Elements of Fiction (86-89):
Plot
Structure
Character
Setting/Context/Mood
Point of View
Style
Irony
Symbolism
Theme
Others?
5: FICTION
Exercises for: Annotation , Freewriting, Analysis (90-91)
Complete in class?
5: FICTION
Steps to Writing a Literary Analysis (91)
1. Annotate the work.
2. Freewrite.
3. Outline structure.
4. Identify elements (& explain their function).
5. Describe the context.
6. Consider point of view or perspective.
7. Discuss with others.
8. Select two key passages. Relate them.
9. Write a draft.
10. Revise after feedback.
Example: Huck Finn, 93
7: FILM
A Note on Film vis-à-vis:
• Theater
• Photography
• Fiction
7: FILM
Elements of Film (130-135):
Photography (48-53)
Subject, Color, Purpose, Lighting, Style, Composition
(Shots, Focus, Sequence)
Fiction Elements
Acting
Mise en Scene
Diegesis
Movement
Editing
Sound/Music
7: FILM
Film Review: 138-139
REVIEW
Chapter 1: Skills
Chapter 2: Overview
Chapter 5: Writing About Fiction
Chapter 7: Writing About Film