This unique class is a combination of two classes that have been taught in previous terms – the fun fieldtrip and sensory based descriptive writing class formerly known as the Cupcake Class and the college prep essay class called Writing for College.
We experience the world through our perceptions. Whether it’s sight, taste, smell, touch or hearing, we absorb and perceive our surroundings using our five senses. In this class we will learn how to precisely and comprehensively express what we perceive using the written word.
We will use shared experiences (including field trips to coffee shops, bakeries, markets, galleries, etc) to write thoughtful, descriptive essays that will make students better writers but will also leave them looking at the world differently.
Students will be practicing the basics as well as advanced strategies for writing descriptively, and for writing analytical, argument-driven essays that will “wow” their college professors!
How can you write one page about eating a cupcake? What about a paragraph on a painting? How do you describe your favorite song for a music blog? What are the key components of your essay? What is your argument? What’s the difference between analysis and opinion?
Students will learn about structure, the most convincing way to present it, how to prepare an outline, and a thesis and present their evidence effectively. Once students have mastered the basics, they will use excerpts from literary and historical sources to craft strong essays that are incisive, thoughtful and powerful.
This class is being taught by Aida Gureghian.
Aida is a writer and educator who has taught at the college level, and was inspired to create this college prep class from being very “un-wowed” by the quality of writing turned in by her college students. Aida received her Masters from University of Oxford, and her PhD from University of Pennsylvania
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