ENGLISH 1A – 5pm Section

5-5:10pm:  Has anyone laughed lately?  At a certain point, don’t you just have to laugh?  And notice, this is a QUESTION.  Not a judgment or statement.

5:10-5:30pm:  Let’s talk about humor in Composition.  How is humor part of composition?  How can humor be literature?  What is the value to humor?  Has anyone heard of David Sedaris?  If so, what do you know?

5:30-5:50pm:  Analyzing humor, comedy, anything that makes us laugh.  What does it do to the writing?  Just make it entertaining, or something else?

5:50-6pm:  Finding funny in everything….  Can it be done?

6-6:20pm:  Humor in our lives, in our families, in some of the dumb stuff we do….  What do you think?  Me, I have to laugh at myself when I f/ck up, otherwise it poisons my mood and vibe.

6:20-6:40:  David Sedaris…. Someone who writes differently.  In a diary then to a formal essay.  He teaches us not just about comedy, but about writing an essay.  To enjoy the liberated writing in a diary or journal first, then organize.  To make writing yours!

6:40-6:50:  Close…. What do you have in your notes/on tonight’s page?

ASSIGNMENT:  1, Research David Sedaris.  2, type and EMAIL ME a 2-page reaction to your findings on Sedaris…. What do you think of him?  What is he like?  What sources did you find useful?  (HINT: Watch his videos on YouTube, to start!). 3, write out your goals for this semester, not just for this class but all-encompassing, and write how you plan to satisfy them.  Be prepared to discuss next meeting.

Also, I will be starting my Zoom office hours next week, by appointment.  Stay tuned!

407 Comments Add yours

  1. Shantel Shaw says:

    When researching David, I have observed how he started from the bottom just like most of us and worked his way up to the top just through his diary. Something as simple as his everyday diary gave him the opportunity to become a bestselling author!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. mikemadigan says:

      YES!!!!! Respect to you for the research!!!

      Like

      1. Shantel Shaw says:

        thank you!

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Abie Prieto says:

    I’m already liking David Sedaris . Just did a quick google search and so many links and articles came up about him making his audience laugh and being creative. Do you think him being from new york and his upbringing maybe influence his humorous writing?

    Liked by 2 people

  3. Aiden Seifert says:

    David Sedaris seems like an interesting character from what I can gather. I read earlier in the conversation he does some dark humor and I’m interested to see how it is displayed.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. mikemadigan says:

      His writing style and general composition offer very interesting education on his life and perspective of everything around him. Seriously, I see him as more a teacher than writer.

      Like

    2. Paloma says:

      Hamburger meat. Lol. You’ll get it when you read the book but omg I was dying

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Paloma says:

    I’ve started reading Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls. Very rad so far! I tend to struggle reading books cause I lose focus, so I’m pretty impressed by how excited I am to keep reading

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Paige Davenport says:

      I’m going to start tonight so excited!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. mikemadigan says:

        Love the attitude!!! Thanks for coming tonight!!! 🙂

        Like

  5. mikemadigan says:

    If you can, get a subscription to Masterclass, and watch him speak. It’s f/cking AWESOME.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. finn ransome says:

    where would the place you suggest to purchase his book?

    Like

    1. mikemadigan says:

      You can order from the SRJC bookstore, or go to Barnes & Noble, or Amazon!!! Believe me, it is NOT hard to find. Sedaris is everywhere.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. finn ransome says:

        alright thank you! hopefully he doesn’t get around too much you know what they say about those people.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. mikemadigan says:

        Nice…. good little quip there, Finn. Cheers.

        Like

      3. adrianv7272 says:

        Waiting a week and a half for mine from Amazon. Try the bookstore.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. mikemadigan says:

        Get it however you can!!

        Like

  7. mikemadigan says:

    Love how he talks about the diary, and how he avoids full pieces but rather writes little vignettes, then later develops them into stories or essays. Something we can all learn from!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. mikemadigan says:

    A note for your notes….. Sedaris teaches us to be more observant and involved in the Now. You will learn from your Now, if you are fully present.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. jakesilva753 says:

      I love how he constantly stays relevant and up to date

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Paloma says:

      I like how you capitalized the Now. Brings to mind eckhart tolle 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  9. mikemadigan says:

    A note for your notes….. Take notes while you read. Don’t just read, but be active and involved. If you are just reading, you are NOT reading.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Paige Davenport says:

      I love this!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. mikemadigan says:

        Cheers Paige. Enjoy!

        Like

  10. mikemadigan says:

    A note for your notes….. Read SLOWLY. Sedaris deserves your time. Do NOT speed-read. Speed-reading is stupid.

    Liked by 2 people

  11. Daniel Bagley says:

    in my notes i have it written that its okay to not have everything organized at first in a story as putting thoughts to paper is more important than writing structured paper that you’re gonna rewrite anyways.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Harmanpreet Singh Sabharwal says:

    I just watched his interview on jimmy Kimmel and I think he is great.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. mikemadigan says:

      Awesome!! Enjoy the reading!!

      Like

  13. mikemadigan says:

    Let’s close it up, fam!! What’s on tonight’s page, or IN YOUR NOTES???

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Paloma says:

      ‘Everything in your writing can be strengthened, to empower the connection to your readers.’ That definitely left me thinking. I hope I can learn to understand it better. Thanks for the awesome class Mike. Hope everyone has a humor filled evening!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. mikemadigan says:

        Cheers!! Thank you!!

        Like

  14. I always put some post it notes with my books so I can write my notes on it while I am reading. I love going back to my m favorites pages and read what I wrote and see if I still feel the same about my notes you know?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. mikemadigan says:

      Beneficial habit there, Debora!

      Like

  15. mikemadigan says:

    Great meeting tonight, y’all!!! I appreciate you, ALL, so much!!!

    Liked by 2 people

  16. when is our essay due?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. mikemadigan says:

      The response is due by next class.

      Liked by 2 people

  17. jakesilva753 says:

    Thanks professor Mikey !!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. ”Take step by step, don’t rush your writing or any type of process and enjoy the way, Be present, laugh at your own mistakes and make everything easier” – my notes

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Abie Prieto says:

    big note is HUMOR IS A KEY to writing . Humor is more than just being funny. Humor can changes lives. Thank you for the class, have a good one.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. finn ransome says:

    I appreciate you too mike!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. mikemadigan says:

      Thank you!! That means a lot!!! 🙂

      Like

  21. mikemadigan says:

    The typed reaction is due before next class!!!

    Like

  22. Thank you all! Great class! See you guys next class 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Sarah Harrison says:

    In my notes for tonight, I have been reflecting on the idea of humor and it’s place both in life and in writing and how I’ve experienced it. I also have notes about how someone’s writing style grows and changes based over time based on their experiences. Having researched Sedaris a bit both today and when we first got the reading list, my eyes were opened to a completely different format of writing and composition. I love hearing from everyone else as well and I have made notes about a couple comments I saw that really stuck with me. Love the format of this class so far!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. mikemadigan says:

      That’s great!!! Thank you!!!!

      Like

  24. mikemadigan says:

    5pm, y’all killed it!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  25. adrianv7272 says:

    Have a goodnight everyone

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Aiden Seifert says:

    Class with you proves to never be dull and I am coming to be grateful for getting this class thank you Professor Mikey. I look forward to next class.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. mikemadigan says:

      So humbled by and appreciative of your words. You have the most inspiring and love and creative night of your LIFE!!!! ❤

      Like

  27. Gianina Mencarini says:

    Is his book that we will be reading about his experiences?

    Liked by 1 person

  28. See ya Thursday Professor Mike!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. mikemadigan says:

      Enjoy your night!!

      Like

  29. Evelyn Molina says:

    As I was doing my research about David Sedaris . I came across a lot of his words creativity and humor . I have learn through this research that most of us start with something simple and as David Sedaris made his way up. Was and still is a very inspirational person.

    Liked by 1 person

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