Phil Druker/Department of English/ University of Idaho

 

Phil Druker/English 404/504
TRAVEL WRITING: Assignment 3
Short feature length article/destination piece for a magazine or newspaper (1200 – 1500 words): 250 pts.
 
Goal: 
Your objective is to write a short feature length (1200-1500 word) destination piece.  Take us (people who have never been to the place) somewhere 
and help us decide if we want to go there after reading your piece. This article needs to be based on the query letter/email (50 points) you send (and I approve). 
The Assignment:
1.      Pick a place and focus on it (not on you). 
2.      To make your piece work, consider these points:
a.       Make your description purposeful/informative.
                                                              i.      --develop a tone
                                                            ii.      --focus on an angle/ find and give the essay a “center”
                                                          iii.      --react to the place
b.       Use details.
c.       Provide researched facts (cite sources)
d.       Use the senses (as appropriate).
e.        Put people in the place as appropriate.
                                                              i.      --Use narration.
                                                            ii.      --Use characterization.
f.       Consider organization:
                                                              i.      --space
                                                            ii.      --time (chronology)
                                                          iii.      --topic
                                                          iv.      --personal or psychological perspective 
Hints:
1.      Your article needs to have a clear purpose. Be sure to make a point.
2.      Focus on the place.
3.      Give this a title that moves the reader to the piece’s center.  
4.      Use narration and characterization to move the piece but don’t just write a story.  
5.      Avoid sanitizing, sentimentalizing, or exaggerating.
6.      Use a unifying metaphor. 
7.      Avoid clichés.
8.      Remember to SHOW rather than Tell.
9.      Consider using humor (exaggeration? self-deprecation…) 
10. Include researched facts (not merely your experience) 
Due dates:
Query email: 3/10   Rough draft: 3/31      Workshop:  4/2 
Final Draft: 4/7
 
Criteria: Assignment 3
Content:
1.      Main point clear: focus on a place--use your experience to inform about the place
2.      Details
a.       Show (rather than tell)
b.      Useful
c.       Correct
d.      Deals with “the other” as appropriate
e.       Researched facts
3.      Narration (not focused solely on narration--don't just tell a story)
a.       Clear
b.      Effectively moves details/facts about the place
4.      Characterization (use to inform about the place) 
a.       Clear
b.      Effectively moves details about the place
5.     Tone --  fits the piece/the place/the message
   Conclusion works:  leaves the reader with a sense of closure about the place/the trip
6.       Title:  clear, useful, engaging
 Organization
1.      Main point emphasized
2.      Paragraphs work  
 Sentence style:
1.      Correct            
2.      Clear
3.      Concise
 Audience
1.      Will the audience find this useful?
2.      Opening line engaging
3.      Closing line brings closure. 
 Documentation
            Show where your facts come from. 
 Format:  See http://www.class.uidaho.edu/druker/articleformat.htm

 Length: 1200 -1500 words