Q Overview Although we didn't get to discuss the Sommers essay together yet, we did, I think, have a pretty productive conversation about Olsen's short story. In an effort to help further prepare you for the work of the upcoming Essay Assignment, please answer the following, doing your best to apply the work we did together in class. To be clear, you're answering the following questions on Nancy Sommers's "I Stand Here Writing." Questions 1. The Sommers Discussion Forum has already asked you to think about how Sommers structured her essay--what each section is about, why, and how they all connect to one another. Now, take this a step further to think about WHY you think Sommers structured her essay the way she did. Specifically, how does the structure of "I Stand Here Writing" seem to relate to its content? In other words, is there something about how the essay is organized that helps support or illustrate the point Sommers is making in her essay? If you see some connection between the essay's structure and content, please describe it as specifically as you can. If you don't see any such connection, please discuss why, in as much detail as you can. 2. How would you describe the tone of Sommers's essay, and what textual evidence can you give to support this interpretation? 3. The Sommers Discussion Forum has already asked you to try and identify some of the things that Sommers references multiple times throughout the essay--if you couldn't find any then, please try again. There are at least a handful of references that Sommers makes multiple times. Then, once you have some, write here WHY you think she does that. What's the purpose or effect of repeating certain images, words, phrases, or things throughout her essay? How does that seem to connect to the main point she makes in her essay? 4. One last question--clearly, Sommers titled her essay after Olsen's story (instead of "I Stand Here Ironing," Sommers's essay is "I Stand Here Writing.") Why do you think? In what ways does Sommers's essay relate or connect to the Olsen story--in content or form or both? Again, just trust your own reading and analysis here. If you can't think of anything, explain why or describe the disconnects you see instead. As always, just do your best here. The goal is to practice real close reading and purposeful analysis, as well as to prepare you to develop and support adequate (at the very least) claims about the text you'll write about for the Essay Assignment. Also, feel free to upload a media recording if you'd like. PreviousNext