Essay

The purpose of this assignment is to get you to expand your understanding of the traditions behind your work.

1. Choose the author on your family tree you're feeling most intrigued by right now.
2. Moving back in time, find an author whose work you have NEVER read but who is linked to the author on your tree in some way. This should be someone of a previous generation. Perhaps the author on your tree has cited them as an influence, or they work in the same genre, or the author on your tree listed a book of theirs as a current favorite. I suspect you're wondering why I'm asking you to move back in time. There are several reasons: 1) I want you to develop a sense of a tradition your work belongs to; 2) I'm quite sure you already know how to read contemporary works; and 3) it's relatively easy to find contemporary works we feel a connection to.
3. Choose and read one book by the new author. If that author does not have an entire book, read a selection of stories, essays, or poems.
4. Write a 750-1000 word essay on how you feel this author/book participates in the tradition within which you situate your own work.
5. This does not need to take the form of a traditional "English class" paper. It can be a piece of highly personal writing, using "I," etc. BUT you must include specific examples from the book. I'll be looking to see at least 3 quotations or references to very specific aspects of the book in your essay.
6. Your essay should be double-spaced and use 12 pt font