Read Patrick Madden's essay, "The Infinite Suggestiveness of Common Things". This essay can be found on our class webpage under SLCC documents. The excerpt comes from his book of nonfiction entitled Quotidiana.

After reading , respond to the prompts below in a thoughtful and well written response. Be sure to put your name and period in the title.

Assignment: In a paragraph (about 200 words) respond to either the author (what do you find interesting about his take on essays), or write a response on how you personally view his perspective. Refer to specific parts (passages or quotations) of the essay as you reflect and respond. or write a reflection as the post/article relates to you personally.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Mercedes Maestas Period 5

Wow.  Sarah Peck’s letter to writers is an incredible invitation to just be yourself, and write exactly what you feel.  I love how she talks about what writing can do for you as a person.  She states, “You cannot control what happens to you in life, but you can always control what you will feel and do about what happens to you.”  Writing triggers emotions.  When you take the time to write different things down on paper, you are pulling out emotions and putting them on paper.  By doing this, you can really see some of the greatest things you have ever experienced, and the troubling times that you have learned from.  


Sarah also says, “Perhaps we are afraid of writing because we’re afraid of knowing our own story.”  I really believe this to be true.  People are afraid to write down memories they’ve had, thinking that they want to just forget about it.  If it is something that you have been through, and it has taught you something, then it was worth going through, and writing down.  When you write, you are in the moment.  Writing about those little moments is going to help you to be a better writer.  You will write and express yourself through your writing, without having to say a single word.  We all have a story to tell, so don’t be afraid to share it with others.  You never know what someone will be able to learn from your story, if you’re not willing to write it down.  Be brave.  Be bold.

4 comments:

  1. I liked the emotions. Writing really can bring them out or even trigger them. Not knowing how you feel and writing things down can help you see what is wrong. Great experience would just be fun to write and remember how you feel and acted to what happened. Our story is a great thing. I agree if we don't write it down those memories wither good or bad are gone. Maybe by writing down and looking over them later you can see how you have grown and learned them. If they are never there to do that, you will never know what came of them.

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  2. Love the 'Be brave. Be bold.' statement. It really does take bravery to write, especially when it's something extremely personal to you!
    Madelin Crapo Period 1

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  3. I like how you put the quote "You cannot control what happens to you in life but you can always control how you feel and do about what happens to you". And described it.

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  4. I truly agree with you when you say "If it is something that you have been through, and it has taught you something, then it was worth going through, and writing down. When you write, you are in the moment." While you are going through something, or you go back and reminisce, writing that story down or even just your feelings truly can help you to write with emotion. Telling a true story that means something to you will allow the readers to feel more and realize more about you and your writing.
    -Alysann Flower Period 5

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