Phil Druker/Department of English/ University of Idaho

 

404/505   //  Travel Writing
Assignment 4:  Destination Piece Workshop Discussion Points.

Name of author ____________________                  Name of reader ____________________

Content:

  1. What part is most memorable? What do you like best?

  2.   What’s the piece’s main point?

  3. IS the piece an INTERIOR piece or an EXTERIOR piece. (Go for EXTERIOR)

  4.  How is the piece useful?
    What useful details does the author offer?
    What do you need/want more information about?

  5. Does the title work?
    **Does the title develop a metaphor that continues through the piece?

  6.   Does the first sentence work? Does the opening paragraph work? Does the beginning hold your interest?
    ++Underline detail words in the first paragraph that develop tone.

  7.  What sensory details were most effective?

  8. Where does the author use narration?
    -- Does the narration help?  Does the narration convey useful details?  Is there too much/not enough narration?

  9. Where does the author use characterization?
    Is there enough? Do you want more? Which character stands out?
    Put a C where the characterization works well and a C? where it doesn't work so well or where more is needed.

  10. Irony/tone -- does it work? Needs more?  Point out one place where irony works really well.

  11. Where does the author “show” best?  Where is the author “telling” rather than “showing”?

  12. What do you want to know more about?

  13. What do you want to know less about?  What should be left out?

  14.   Does the ending work (bring a sense of closure)? Does the last sentence work?
    **Is there a return to the title metaphor or opening sentence?

Organization:

  1. How is this organized?  by topic, chronology (time), space/place

  2. Does the author use blocks of information?  Or does the author "weave" the information

  3. Point out places where the organization seems confusing or where there are big jumps in thought ç

  4. Do the paragraphs work (purposeful, one-topic paragraphs)?

Sentence style:

  1. Did you have to re-read any sentences? Paragraphs?

  2. Does the tone work?
    ++Put a star by words/sentences that work particularly well.
    ++Put a  T? by words/sentences that need better language, more “spice,” better tone?

  3. What metaphors does the author develop? 
    ++ Put an M in the margin where the metaphor works and M? where it doesn't work so well.

  4. Are there any clichés--trite phrases?

  5. What’s the best sentence in the piece?  How does it sound when read out loud?

  6.  Are there any sentences that slow the reader down/ make the piece difficult to read?

General:

  Do you have any suggestions for the writer?