An exercise in writing in the manner of another
Purpose: I've used the following in class writing activity to prompt awareness of stylistic choices and reflections on how style links with ways of experiencing something. I usually use only three excerpts, and try to select passages that invite discussion of, for instance, syntax, images and metaphors, and points of view. The exercise can also serve as a prompt for an essay on memories associated with a place.
READING AND LISTENING: First, I ask for volunteers to read each passage aloud: two to read one, then two another, and then two the final one. They are read in turn with no discussion. I just ask everyone to listen to each and attend to how they experience it.
DISCUSSING: Then, we may have a bit of discussion about what strikes them most about each passage, what sticks in their memories. I won't push this discussion much because I don't want it to become too analytical. And, I may skip it entirely and move directly to writing. As an alternative, you could interject a bit of discussion after each excerpt is read.
WRITING: I ask each student to think of a place. an actual physical dwelling, that they associate in their mind with home. Begin writing about that place in the style, the manner, of one of the excerpts of their choice. Five minutes to write. Then, I ask each person to select a different passage and writing about that same place in the manner of that passage. Another 5 minutes.
READING AND DISCUSSING: After we each have had time to start two passages in the manner of two of the excerpts, I ask for a few volunteers to read their two passages with others listening to see if they can ascertain which excerpts were imitated and to discuss any differences they perceive. I ask the same of the writer and also whether one of the excerpts seemed easier/more fitting than the other. With this discussion, we talk some more about choices of point of view, syntax., and images.
NOTE: If I'm going on to set up an essay on place and memory, I ask students to brain-storm a list of other places that stand out in their memory for whatever reason-places they associate with an important event or change, a person, a place that has struck them for some reason. Then I'll ask each to pick one that stands out on that list and write some more about it: what it is, what stands out to them, and why might they want to write about it. (You could also follow the same steps as Charlie's card exercise.) The resulting essays may take a variety of directions, e.g., a reflection on a place that has some significance in one's memory, a reflection on a person with place somehow in the background, a reflection on a place that has changed in some way and for some reason, a reflection on some aspect of nature. One of the challenges for each writer will be to decide what s/he does want to do with the essay. I sometimes give out a couple of essays written by former ENGLWP 111 and 112 students to illustrate directions they might take.
As you consider these and other passages, I advise you to try them first yourself and think carefully about the style options they present, the kind of reflection on place they prompt, and the purposes for which you would want to use them. Have fun!
