Writing Assignment 1
Writing about a person

    Your first assignment is to write about a person who has influenced you in some way -- could be good; could be not so good.   You choose.  And you'll demonstrate this person's influence by telling a story.

Here are some suggestions as to how to proceed:

Begin by making a list of people you remember.

• Anyone who has had authority over you or anyone over whom you've had authority.
• Anyone who has helped you in difficult times or made life difficult for you.
• Anyone who taught you something important about yourself.
• Anyone who inspired strong emotions in you -- admiration, envy, disapproval, fascination.
• Anyone whose behavior or values led you to question your own.
• Anyone who really surprised or disappointed you.

Once you make your list, choose one and begin describing that person -- remember, do this as a list, going for specific, concrete details.   You're not yet writing the essay.

Make a list of actions.

• Specific gestures or habits.
• Do you recall the person running, walking, washing dishes, smoking a cigarette?

Recall conversations.

• Memorable phrases, including slang.
• Tone of voice, manner of speech.
• The first thing you remember that the person said to you.
• The most memorable thing the person ever said.

Once you've got these lists and ideas created, you should have plenty in the way of description.  Now, try to recall an event.  Remember, you want to put this in story form, a narrative that begins with a person who wants something.  Although you may have known this person for years and no doubt have a storehouse full of experiences, fix on and develop one.