Generative Writing Activities for "The Self in Contradiction" (prior to assigning essay)

This activity can be done in whole or parts; part 2 also makes a good homework assignment.

Part I: Who are you? Begin by brainstorming a series of lists. Start each list with a different prompt and try to write at least three responses for each prompt:

  1. I am……
  2. I do…….
  3. I have……
  4. I own……
  5. I believe………..
  6. I hope…………
  7. I like………….
  8. I dislike………
  9. I used to think………..but now I think………………because………………..
  10. I want………
  11. I belong to…………….because……………………….

Part II:

Choose two seemingly contradictory beliefs, ideas, or identities from the lists you generated yesterday. Write a couple of paragraphs explaining how these two elements are or aren't contradictory. How do you reconcile these two elements of your self? When is each present? Do you call upon certain aspects of self under particular circumstances or within different contexts? When and where?

Generative Writing Sequence (after essay introduced)

This sequence works best if students share in between each step.

  1. Write a couple of paragraphs on the following: Which aspects of self are visible? Are you ever conscious of people "placing" you by virtue of any of those aspects of your identity? When and where? How do you think those aspects inform your identity, your sense of self? Which aspects of your identity do you have the option to conceal? When, where and why do you call forth those aspects of self that you have the option to conceal? Have you ever been sorry that you have done so? Happy or relieved to have done so?
  2. Write another couple paragraphs on the following: Write about 1-2 "aha" moments, times when you realized or understood something about yourself or the world that later changed or altered the way you saw and understood yourself and the world. In what ways did your sense of self come to bear upon this realization? Did this realization alter or change the way you thought about yourself or other aspects of your identity? What might this suggest to you about what you understand as your "place" within various contexts? In the academy? In your family?
  3. Write about people who have influenced your thinking, your sense(s) of self. Identify at least 2 people and write a couple of paragraphs on each. What moments come to mind when you consider these people? Why do these moments come to mind? What did they contribute to you, to your sense of yourself? In what ways did they or didn't they somehow change the way you understood yourself? What beliefs did your interactions with them challenge? How did you challenge theirs? In what ways?