Writing I

ENGL101-W01

Distance Learning Course

Bridgewater State College

Dr. Deborah L. Barshay

Assignment (two choices):

1. Using as a basis George Orwell’s essay, “Shooting an Elephant,” in which he recounts a time he acted under great pressure, write a narrative about an action you once took simply because you felt pressured. Perhaps you were attempting to avoid ridicule or to fulfill someone else’s expectations. Like Orwell, use vivid details to bring the incident to life and to convey its effect on you.

2. Using as a basis Audre Lorde’s essay, “The Fourth of July” which is a coming of age story, write a narrative about an experience that dramatically changed your view of the world. The experience might have been jarring and painful, or it may have been positive and uplifting. In either case, recount the incident with compelling narrative details. To illustrate the shift in your perspective, begin with a brief statement of the way you viewed the world before the experience.