First Semester Exam

We have done a lot of soul-searching this semester. We have written two senior essays, delivered one to our peers, learned what it means to "write well," discussed topics ranging from happiness to forgiveness, read and written poems, met an author, and blogged blogged blogged. You all rock. I have really enjoyed this class so far; I hope you have too.

In thinking about what I felt was appropriate for our semester exam, I focused on three highlights from the course:

1. On Writing Well

2. Poetry

3. No Impact Man

I want this exam to be both a reflecting back and a looking forward, a culminating piece that also produces something new. Here are the details:

Pre-Exam

1. The first part of the exam should be completed before the exam period. You have already started on this challenge by practicing what Beavan preached on his blog (free write about what you care most about, what has made you happy and fulfilled in the past, and what circumstances you need to be your best self). Like he advocates, distill those free writes down into three respective bullet point lists. These lists should be presented on one sheet of paper but with appropriate titles so we understand which list is which.

2. I then want you to write a 500 word essay (this is a strict limit) that articulates your findings. You can go in any direction you want with this (you can analyze yourself, project your hope for the future, state what you want to pursue professionally or personally, write a "This I Believe" statement, etc.) but your essay MUST incorporate elements from your free writes/lists. And it must powerfully and effectively illustrate at least 10 On Writing Well principles. How will I know which 10? You will annotate them in your paper :-).

This part of the exam will be worth 70% of your exam grade.

During Exam

1. I will give you a list of poetic and writing terminology that we have covered this semester. You need to define and give an example of each.

2. I will give you two poems. You choose one and answer the "five essential questions" regarding the speaker, the tone, the message, etc. No longer essay required, but each of these responses needs to be developed and supported with evidence from the poem.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!