Discussion Board #1
Before completing your first discussion board, please read all of the essays posted in Week One of the course schedule (located under the "Schedule" button at the top of the page).
Each of the readings in the first week of the class provide an introduction to the basics of what constitutes the terms "narration" and "essay" and demonstrate the concepts of time and space that we will use to address the readings in the remainder of the class. For example, Catherine Ramsdell introduces how character and narrative speed/timing are essential in developing a dominant theme or impression in an essay. Each of the essays focuses on a particular theme or provides a way of looking at essays or narratives that will help us understand how authors manipulate time, space, detail and character for effect.
For the first discussion board, select three key concepts from these five readings that you found particularly helpful and that you would like to focus on as you write and revise your work in the class (pick an element from three different readings). Spend some time considering what elements you choose because I will ask you to return to these elements as we write and revise the first essay and write the first reflection. Include paraphrases, summaries, or quotes from the readings, cited appropriately in MLA format in your initial post.
Once you have selected those elements, write about why you want those elements to be your focus for the first essay and why you found those particular elements/ideas helpful.
Post your original post by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Jan 28th, and respond to your classmates by Wed, Jan 31st. You will not be able to see your classmates' posts before you post, nor will you be able to edit your original post once it is posted. So please compose your initial post carefully.