Response Blog #1

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What do you hope to learn in this class?

  When I take this class, I hope that I'll learn from the strategies and techniques of the many short stories we will read. As a reader, I'd like to have more experience with short stories in general, how I view and analyze
them, and what is new and experimental versus what is tried and true. As a writer, I want to learn from how others have accomplished their goals in short literature. Then I'll have a reference for how these stories work when I write my own.


 What goals will you set for yourself in class this semester?

 This semester I aim to get as much of my work done early as I can. I often have trouble accomplishing things on time because I put them off. If I get things done early then I won't have to worry about doing them at the last minute. I'll also try not to miss any classes unless absolutely necessary.


What makes literature "great"?

 This is a question that could be argued for years (and has been). However, to make the answer short enough, great fiction in my opinion is the kind that tells its story, whatever that might be, with enough intimacy and vision to immerse the reader. The story should have a distinct atmosphere and voice and carry the audience through the necessary highs and lows with skill. Of course, what accomplishes this goal can vary a lot from person to person and story to story.

Eng 121--The Short Story

A Notice

Since I didn't really end up needing the blog for AP literature, and since Ms. Smith has given permission to use an old blog for her class, this is now the place for Eng. 121-The Short Story! I'll be posting assignments for my college english class here.
(I find it interesting that Ms. Smith and I are both named Jessica E. though her E stands for Elisabeth.)