Topic Brainstorm

1. Compare and contrast elements of two different texts. For example, explore the similarities and differences between two characters in the text, or examine how one theme is handled in similar and dissimilar ways in two different texts. 

One common element in the questions I chose is they all involve multiple works. This is because we are required to do one project that discuses at least two stories within it, and my other two projects were both about one. I really enjoyed the poetry we read, so I feel like comparing any two poets could be good for any of these questions. Dickinson, Shelley, Keats, Yeats, Whitman, and even Ghalib have elements in common, but are also very different and unique in their styles which would make it easy to point out dissimilarities.  

2. Pick a subject: love, work, freedom, etc. Then choose two selections and discuss how that subject is discussed in those selections. Use literary devices to help frame your discussion.  

I feel like I could compare Memoirs of a Declining Ryukyuan Woman and A Room of One's Own due to their shared theme of liberation, and being appeals to a corrupt society for better treatment. What specifically the authors wanted from in their work is similar, but their writing styles are very unique. I'd like to learn more about what specific literary devices are used in both stories, because I don't really think about that naturally when I read through, I usually just focus on figuring out what the author is trying to say, not how they are saying it. I feel like this especially will be different between them, but maybe they will be more alike than expected.

3. You’ve been appointed the student member of a college committee to revise the core curriculum. The committee has decided to require that all students enrolled at LMC must take this course, and you have been asked to nominate 4 to 5 fiction selections (from the selections we have read this semester) that will be required reading for the course. You are, in other words, creating the anthology. 

This question would allow me to discuss many works all at once. I would pick my selections from as vastly different time periods and writing styles as possible, in order to make my anthology cover as much as possible. This would give my students diverse coverage to have a broader understanding of literature of the world. I'm really leaning towards this one because I feel I could learn a lot from having to work so many discussions of many stories into one piece. I'd really have to think in depth about each piece and what purpose it would serve as part of my anthology. I'd look for stories representing different time periods and different literary movements, such as the Enlightenment, Romanticism, Modernism, etc.

Comments

  1. Bobby MedinaApril 29, 2018 at 12:21 AM

    Hello Veronica!
    I like your ideas for your third project! We have read so many poems throughout the course of this semester so you really just have to find two that are about the same idea or topic and just go for it! The second topic is a pretty good idea as well because as mentioned before, many of our readings have the same theme and it wouldn't be too difficult to find two readings that are thematically similar and write about it! Good luck and I can't wait to see your project!

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  2. UnknownApril 29, 2018 at 8:32 PM

    Hello Veronica!
    All of your topic brainstorms are really great! For the compare and contrast it would be intriguing to see the similarities and differences between Whitman and Ghalib or Dickinson and Yeats or Shelley and Keats. You chose great poets and whichever combination you choose will be amazing. Your second topic and focusing on liberation would be great as well, you could even put in some of Anna Akhmatova’s work as well. Really dissecting the literary devices used and why those were chosen specifically would be fantastic. For your final possible topic creating your own anthology is really fun and it was something I enjoyed doing. I like that you would use work from really different time periods. It would give a sense of how literature has changed throughout time and how the world during those time impacted literature in general. I think that you will do great with any of the topics you choose and I look forward to reading them in the future.

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  3. UnknownApril 30, 2018 at 11:06 AM

    Hi Veronica,
    I feel the same way about my first project as well that all the work and revisions as well as the feedback from the teacher and other student helped out a lot in improving are writing skills and what we need to focus on as we continue as writers. It also seems that you have the stories you want to use for this project in mind already. It is also cool that you are really excited for this upcoming project as well to show how much you improved and grown plus you seem to love to right. I also like you choose these three topic based on they could work better to your strengths as a writer as well as the stories you might pick to use. I really like how in depth you go into analyzing which topic you are going to pick for your project that either way you go it looks good.

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  4. UnknownApril 30, 2018 at 11:22 AM

    Hey Veronica. Reading your thoughts about your first project idea, I've gotta say I approached my project the same way when I wrote about that prompt. Comparing the poetry of two different writers seemed like it allowed for a closer comparison as opposed to writing about two different stories. Maybe it's because poems are shorter and it's easier to remain focused on the similarities and differences. It's definitely a safe pick if you still need to write a project that involves two different works. The second project idea also looks like something you could handle very well since you already have an idea in mind as to a common theme they share. The third project seemed somewhat intimidating to me, so if you end up deciding to tackle that prompt then I'll be very impressed and sure to read it. For that project idea, I highly suggest you come up with a detailed outline or brainstorm what stories you'll put into the anthology and why. Addressing so many stories seems like something that can easily get messy if you do it without a detailed plan in mind. Best of luck to you.

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