Stephen Elliott quotes Philip Lopate here: “Strive for honesty, but admit that you can delude yourself as well as the next guy. Ironically, it is this skepticism that uniquely equips the personal essayist for the difficult climb into honesty. So often the ‘plot’ of a personal essay, its drama, its suspense, consists in watching how far the essayist can drop past his or her psychic defenses toward deeper levels of honesty. One may speak of a vertical dimension in the form: if the essayist can delve further underneath, until we feel the topic has been handled as honestly, as fairly as possible, then at least one essential condition of a successful personal essay has been met."
Over break, write an essay in which you strive for honesty. The subject's your choice -- wide open. But be sure to choose a moment you care deeply about, something that matters deeply to you.
The length is open, too. As long as a love letter. As long as it takes.
Due Tuesday after break. Bring copies to share with the class.
Moving out
12 years ago
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