Reading Like a Writer (RLW)
| Date | Topic | Before Class (homework due that class day) | In-Class exercises |
| Week 1 | Introductions | Read: 1. Mike Bunn “How to Read like a Writer” Link 2. Francine Prose “Close Reading” Link | Generative Exercise: What is your favorite book, play, poem? Why? |
| Week 2 | A model of RLW | Read: 1. Toni Morrison “Recitatif” Link 2. Zadie Smith “The genius of Toni Morrison’s only short story” Link | Close Reading Exercise: How does Smith focus on Morrison’s craft? How can we use this technique in our writing/study? Generative Exercise (writing inspired by close reading) |
Reading Fiction
| Date | Topic | Before Class (homework due that class day) | In-Class Exercises |
| Week 3 | 1. Choose novel or look for your own option in the CCNY Ebook Databases Link: a. Toni Morrison The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, or Beloved CCNY Library Link b. Kurt Vonnegut Bluebeard CCNY Library Link c. Edith Wharton The Age of Innocence CCNY Library Link d. Khalifeh, Sahar. (2021). My First and Only Love: A Novel. (A. Bamia, Trans.) CCNY Library Link 2. By the end of the week read 1/2 | Close Reading Exercise (critique of author’s writing techniques): What techniques does your author use? How can you use these in your writing? Generative Exercise (writing inspired by close reading): question will depend on student choice. | |
| Week 4 | 1. By the end of the week, finish chosen book | Close Reading Exercise (critique of author’s writing techniques): What techniques does your author use? How can you use these in your writing? Generative Exercise (writing inspired by close reading): question will depend on student choice. | |
| Week 5 (1 day) | Shop&Share | Due: Messy Draft Link |
Reading Drama
| Date | Topic | Before Class (homework due that class day) | In-Class Exercises |
| Week 5 (1 day) | 1. Choose play or look for your own option in the CCNY Ebook Databases Link: a. Kushner, Tony. (2013). Angels in America: a gay fantasia on national themes (Revised edition.). Theatre Communications Group. CCNY library Link b. Parks, Suzan-Lori. (2002). Topdog/underdog (1st ed.). Theatre Communications Group. CCNY Library Link c. Nottage, Lynn. (2009). Ruined (First edition.). Theatre Communications Group. CCNY Library Link d. Ruhl, Sarah. (2022). The clean house and other plays (First edition.). Theatre Communications Group. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781636701493.00000061 CCNY Library Link 2. By the end of the week read 1/4 | Close Reading Exercise (critique of author’s writing techniques): What techniques does your author use? How can you use these in your writing? Generative Exercise (writing inspired by close reading): question will depend on student choice. | |
| Week 6 | 1. By the end of the week, finish 3/4 | Generation Exercise (writing inspired by close reading): Question decided by student reading choice Close Reading Exercise (critique of author’s writing techniques): What techniques does your author use? How can you use these in your writing? Generative Exercise (writing inspired by close reading): question will depend on student choice. by close reading): Question decided by student reading choice | |
| Week 7 | Day 1: finish play Day 2: Shop&Share Due: Messy Draft Link |
Reading Poetry
| Date | Topic | Before Class (homework due that class day) | In-Class Exercises |
| Week 8 | 1. Choose poetry book or look for your own option in the CCNY Ebook Databases Link: a. Brown, Jericho. (2020). The tradition. Copper Canyon Press. CCNY library Link b. Ocean Vuong Night Sky with Exit Wounds CCNY Library Link c. Oliver, Mary (2008). The Truro bear and other adventures poems and essays. Beacon Press. CCNY Library Link d. Komunyakaa, Yusef. (2013). Testimony, A Tribute to Charlie Parker With New and Selected Jazz Poems. Wesleyan University Press. CCNY Library Link 2. By the end of the week read 1/2 | Close Reading Exercise (critique of author’s writing techniques): What techniques does your author use? How can you use these in your writing? Generative Exercise (writing inspired by close reading): question will depend on student choice. | |
| Week 9 | 1. By the end of the week, finish book | Close Reading Exercise (critique of author’s writing techniques): What techniques does your author use? How can you use these in your writing? Generative Exercise (writing inspired by close reading): question will depend on student choice. | |
| Week 10 (1 day) | Shop&Share | Due: Messy Draft Link |
Reading Nonfiction
| Date | Topic | Before Class (homework due that class day) | In-Class Exercises |
| Week 10 (1 day) | 1. Choose book or look for your own option in the CCNY Ebook Databases Link: a. Didion, Joan. (2017). Slouching towards Bethlehem. Open Road Integrated Media. CCNY Library Link b. Ernaux, Annie. (2020). A girl’s story. (A.L. Strayer, Trans.)/ Seven Stories Press. CCNY Library Link c. Moore, D. W. (2008). Between panic and desire. University of Nebraska Press. CCNY Library Link d. Gutkind, L. (2014). Bike fever. Open Road Integrated Media. CCNY Library Link 2. By the end of the week read 1/4 | Close Reading Exercise (critique of author’s writing techniques): What techniques does your author use? How can you use these in your writing? Generative Exercise (writing inspired by close reading): question will depend on student choice. | |
| Week 11 | 1. By the end of the week, finish 3/4 | Close Reading Exercise (critique of author’s writing techniques): What techniques does your author use? How can you use these in your writing? Generative Exercise (writing inspired by close reading): question will depend on student choice. | |
| Week 12 | Day 1: finish book Day 2: Shop&Share Due: Messy Draft Link | Day 1: Close Reading Exercise (critique of author’s writing techniques): What techniques does your author use? How can you use these in your writing? Generative Exercise (writing inspired by close reading): question will depend on student choice. |
*Student choice readings can be done in different ways:
- The class votes on what they most want to read. Everyone read the most popular choice.
- The class gathers into reading groups, where each group reads a different text.
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