Journal Two: Reacting to Model Letters
Select two of the following topics and write about each nonstop for
approximately 5 minutes. Feel free to respond in any way you like but don't
stop writing until the time is up. Focus on quantity and not quality.
Viet Vets: Compare the two letters on
pages 120-121 in Call to Write (CTW). What was each person's reason for
writing? How are the tones and purposes of the letters different? What is your
reaction to each letter? What do you like about each letter? What kind of
relationships do the writers have with their readers? How do you think the
readers will react? If the readers were to respond, what might they say?
Email Correspondence: See the email
posts on pages 122-123 in CTW. What do you think prompted the first
writer to post his message? Why do you think he decided to use an online
discussion group to express his thoughts? What do you think prompted the reply
of the second writer? How might a writer's tone and purpose be affected by
using electronic discussion group? Have you posted or read messages on
electronic discussion groups? What is your reaction to this form of
communication?
Letter to the Editor: See the
editorial and letters to the editor on pages 125-129 in CTW. What is Mark
Patinkin's position on the Singapore caning of
Michael Fay? Is his editorial convincing? Explain. Of the two responses, which
do you think is more effective and why? What writing devices do these three
writers use? Which of these devices do you find effective? How are letters to
an editor different from other kinds of letters? How is sense of audience and
purpose different? Have you ever felt motivated to write a letter to an editor?
What kinds of topics might motivate you to write a letter to an editor? Do you
read letters to the editor? If so, what motivates you to read them? If you were
to write a letter to the editor today, what topic would you select?
A Personal and Public Letter: My Dungeon Shook:
Letter to My Nephew" (CTW, p. 131) narrates James Baldwin's past
experiences and conveys a powerful message to his nephew. Why do you think
Baldwin decided to write a letter? What seems to be his main point? What is the
effect of an older person giving a younger person advice? Why does a letter
work for this purpose? Notice Baldwin's use of language. In what ways does his
letter take on literary qualities? How can you tell from the letter that
Baldwin is a professional writer? If you were to write a letter of advice, who
would write to and what you say?
How to Write Personal
Letter: After reading Garrison Keillor’s
essay “How to Write a Personal Letter,” in The
Mercury Reader, pp. 1-3, record ideas that Keillor
suggests that you think will be helpful for writing effective personal
letters? Notice both his practical
suggestions as well as his inspirational ideas for letter.
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J.Arzt