Assignment 5

English 101: Introduction to College Writing – Spring 2013

Assignment 5: making preliminary observations about an article

1.     Print and read Susan Orlean’s “Lifelike.” As you read, take notes in the margins. As you’re reading, pay attention to the words that Orlean is writing—vocabulary, repeated words, arrangement of the text, images and figurative language. Also note any distinctions, assertions, or questions that stand out to you for any reason. Make a list of these.

2.     After this first close reading, create a blog post and call it Assignment 5. Write a few paragraphs that explore the following questions about the article, including moments from the text to support your thinking:

a.     Why do you think Orlean composed this article? How is Orlean’s topic different from her purpose?

b.     What do you think she might have hoped readers would feel or think while reading? What makes you think that?

c.     What effect did the article have you on? That is, what were you feeling and thinking while reading? Do you think Orlean wanted you to feel/think that way? Why or why not?

3.     Based on your reading of the article and your writing about the article, formulate two questions for you and your classmates to discuss further in class. Include these at the end of your blog post.

4.     Publish this post. Print “Lifelike” and bring it to our next class.