7-7:10pm: Introduction – What are you writing? What are you thinking as this unusual year comes to its concluding set of pages?
7:10-7:20: On Essays, Essay Writing: Use paragraphs!! 7-9 sentences per paragraph is what I suggest. What is a paragraph to you? How do you know when to end one? Feel free to share a paragraph you’ve written on Irby, possibly for your essay due in a week…
7:20-7:40pm: What direction are you taking the Irby essay? Are you writing about your relationship with her, or taking it in your own direction. Remember, complaining is NOT composition.
7:40-8pm: Talk about you, and your life as Literature. For me, this year has taught me containment. Not so much focus, but made my life more consistent and characterized in terms of narrative?
8-8:15pm: When was the last time you were challenged, really tested… like something that almost totally made you lose your shit? What did you learn?
8:15-8:25pm: Close….
ASSIGNMENT: DUE ONE WEEK FROM TODAY, YOUR ESSAY ON IRBY. YOU KNOW THE PROMPT I RECOMMENDED, BUT TAKE IT IN ANY DIRECTION YOU WANT…. 3-5 pages, and include one outside source as support of your opinion. I suggest finding an interview with Irby and quoting her directly.
If you need ANOTHER idea for this paper, how about this….. Irby urges self-love. — Three words, one thesis. It’s that easy. You’re welcome. 🙂
ASSIGNMENT: Write me an email on journaling, keeping a journal, what it does for you. I’m only accepting submissions that encourage and delight in journal practice. I will only be awarding credit in that stride….
ASSIGNMENT: Write about your life, not as you. In third-person. Don’t know what that means, look it up! Have fun writing about you, but not as you. It’s enlightening, safer I feel as the narrator, and more communicative with audience. Give it a try….
#professormikey 
Good evening!!
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Good evening.
I am writing some thoughts, mostly comments, and notes on the reading. I am thinking that there is a lot of bullshit taking place and there zero accountability. Take that as you wish. I am looking forward to the next few months as I have a few fun things planned with all my friends; a couple of camping trips, some parties, lots of diners. It will be nice to start the new year and hopefully leave the bullshit in 2020.
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Explain, expand…
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On which part
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All of it. There’s no context or centricity. I love the passion, just would like to know where to apply it… how it’s connected to the content of Irby, or the prompts, your writing…
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Well in regards to Irby, my feelings of irritation, unaccountability for one’s actions, and maybe a bit of immaturity are absolutely present Perhaps my emotions regarding this state are feeding into my annoyance and disapproval of Irby. I find there to be a lot of asinine actions taking place, in both her book and this state.
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Well… I would suggest for the sake of the essay form a critical argument toward her writing.. perhaps how it’s too selfish, how there’s no accountability. And this state… CA? Let’s try and keep it positive here and lift up each other. It’s a tough time for all of us, and we could all use some encouragement and elevation. 🙂
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Well, I didn’t use the word selfish, not sure if that’s an appropriate adjective for my thoughts of her writing, but absolutely accountability issues.
Regarding CA, I would be happy to get into it, but I was simply expressing my thought and feelings currently and that fell within that category.
Yes of course, no one’s feelings should get hurt.
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The word selfish was directed toward Irby’s writing, as I find her writing to be a bit selfish in some cases. Please follow what I’m offering rather than being combative. You are more than welcome to express thoughts here, while maintaining consistency with the prompts.
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My apologies if my reply came off combative, that was not my intention.
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Good Evening Everyone! I have been writing a lot about my feelings and this election, i’m not one to be into politics but as it pertains to my feelings I feel as though i just have to. I have been an emotional wreck these past few weeks, I am not sure as to why, maybe its the time change or my hormones but i have been feeling off thats for sure. I am finding that I constantly remind myself to just relax and take it day by day, to just live for every moment no matter the situation.
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Hi Consuelo! Great to see you!
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Thanks! Good to be here!
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Omg I totally can relate to you; the feeling off/hormones crazy….must be something in the water…
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Good to remind yourself to relax and take time for you!!
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Good evening, I have been finding myself not in the highest of spirits lately. and writing down whats been bugging me has been helping. I feel that a lot of us may be feeling this way just because of everything going on from covid to elections to even the fires that were happening last month. I’ve been trying to see the brighter side in everything and came to a realization that i may just need to slow down, since im always looking for the next move to make to reach my goals. its not that im not shooting for those goals anymore but just going at a more steady pace before i blow a tire
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A lot of emotions, and all over the place, for sure..
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What a year….
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Seriously! lol
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Hey everyone, hope all is well. It’s been so weird lately with it being so dark so early. I feel like I should be in bed right about now. As far as writing, I’m reflecting on myself. Things I’m working on for myself and where I want to be both mentally and physically. I have a lot planned out that I want to get done. Continuing a personal journal just going over whatever is on my mind. What I’m thinking as this year is coming to an end is literally everything. I’m thinking about every little moment, this year is unlike no other. We had to get out of our comfort zone and adapt to a new way of living life. We got used to it, just hoping the whole covid thing finally goes away.
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Hey everyone good to be back in class! I have been writing a lot and have noticed it helps me stay centered and focused on the things that are important to me instead of getting sidetracked in life by other people or anything that doesn’t have an immediate effect on me. It has seemed to help. Some days I just write about my day and what pissed me off and other days ill make lists of tasks I need to accomplish.
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that’s a really good and healthy thing to notice about a change in yourself. Good job
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thank you !
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Hi everyone usually I am writing about the good and the bad that goes throughout my day but recently I am writing little notes about what I am suppose to do because I have been spacing out and just forgetting about things/ tasks.
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The “good” and the “bad” are extensions of perception and attitude..
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Before we get into the prompts… let’s think about what’s GOOD. What we can make WONDERFUL.
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Holidays are what we can make wonderful especially now that we can’t be having people over for holidays.
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Hi guys!! Im excited to have this year end! Hopefully. 2021 brings better things. This year has jumanji like! This election is crazy, but it looking good.
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HELLO EVERYONE!!!
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Hi Beysaira!! Good to see you!!
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Earlier today… I went for a run, and was chased by a pitbull. Rather than be terrified, I was exhilarated.
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Holy shit! glad your ok! That must have been quite the thrill! LOL
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It was awesome, honestly. I could put a negative spin on it, but I didn’t see negative.. only Newness and experience to write.
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A paragraph to me is a contribution to the essay. There needs to be consistency, and urgency. SUPPORT. VOICE.
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Good Evening, I have been writing about the election. Very spicy. Honestly did not think Trump would make it so close. Fun watching my family react since they are so invested in it. Wrote about my wrist the last couple days. Got a cortisone shot because the doctor thinks two of my bones are pinching the ligament. I did get a side affect of flushed skin so my body, especially my face, feels warm all the time. There were a lot of interesting articles about the election as well since Trump accused the Biden Campaign of voter fraud. Felt very informed and they were surprisingly fun reads. Funny reading journalists write in a tone that makes our President sound like and upset child.
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I agree it is quite interesting reading articles regarding facts about the election. It’s funny watching videos of grown adults acting like children throwing a tantrum because they didn’t get their way; destroying and vandalizing property to try and make a point.
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i like what Cassandra said. Every year most people look forward to the holidays because we make the time we spend with our friends and family extra special and we take time to be grateful for thing we might take for granted from time to time. So we try to make the holidays wonderful. and i think this year people will try extra hard to do so because of the type of year its been
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I really hate paragraphs because either I make them too short or long and sometimes.
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A paragraph for me is information to back up what you are saying, I typically know when to end it when I feel I have more than enough information to have made my point.
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Hello guysss. Been feeling very serious lately. Last couple days I have been making some big decisions and just always thinking about my next move as things seem to be shifting A LOT in my life lately. I haven’t done a lot of writing about it cause I’m choosing to think about it as less as I can, but maybe spending some time adding it into my journal will help with getting more clarification, so might just done that. I’m currently in the east coast but I am READY to go back home, I’ve been freezing my butt offff.
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yes! its always nerve wrecking making decisions like that, but good things to come!
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Paragraphs have been wrongly taught, the same way that students have overthought them and too often blame instructors for their failed usage of them rather than initiating discussion.
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I am writing about the good and bad things that has happened in 2020. hopefully 2021 it’s better because this year been the worst!
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Don’t overlook the enriching and educational qualities of 2020!!!!!
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I agree. Difficult year but definitely got to learn so much and become much more open minded.
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I like a paragraph where you can have a rebuttal, its important to have the other side of an argument. its sometimes easier to write that one paragraph, than the rest pf the essay, at least for me.
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we have been evacuated some may times that I lost count lol
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i usually try to start a paragraph with a fact and use the rest of the paragraph to support the fact. sometimes i feel that i dont know when to end it and other times i feel that i go off topic so when i go back and read it i like to make adjustments so that its stays on topic and gets to the point so that the reader can understand what is being said. but now with the new style of writing we’ve been introduced to i find myself going off topic more and i need to check myself so that i can stay on topic but still try to say it in my own words
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Good ideas here, Alex!!
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Paragraphs are like rooms in a house…. all should have purpose, meaning, identity and style…
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To me a paragraph is a properly structured way of getting a point across to the thesis. It’s not just a couple sentences. I think a paragraph is better when it’s filled. Not just the same thing over and over written differently but actual informative key points.
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Expansion upon words and creativity always defeats repetition.
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ARCHITECTURE. Essays are this…. paragraphs build…
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I will write about my relashionship with her and how she has opened my eyes in the way to see my life and my accomplishments. Our lifestyles and our heartbreaks.
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Lifestyles and Heartbreaks … possible essay title?
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Hey! I’m on to something! lol
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I find paragraphs to be very important and even enjoyable. I feel more organized and structured and can do more emphasizing.
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I like paragraphs because its a good way to tie multiple arguments or points of view into one argument or story.
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paragraphs for me is 5 or more sentences. First is the introduction then 3 main points and then the conclusion.
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In my essay about Irby is about how we are similar about the way we are comfortable in our own skin and we really don’t care what people say about us.
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Great!! Be sure to show and explain examples.
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I think you know a paragraph is complete when the reader can see the point you are trying to get across. It also has to have a couple supporting arguments that back the point you are trying to prove. I feel like I know to end my paragraphs when I start repeating myself a lot in the sentences that I am writing instead of getting to my point or adding any support to the argument or story.
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My essay on Irby, will be based on how we relate and on how she has given me a different perspective on how to see myself and on my past choices. She’s given me a lot to think and reflect on.
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I want to write about how her writing is very uncensored. Or how she gives us life lessons through her humor and how she perceives life.
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For my Irby essay i am going to write about my relationship with her but i also feel like taking it in a direction for how she can teach us about life in general. and i dont mean teach us as in shes lecturing us, but using her stories as teachers and maybe what could have been done differently, or what would you have done if you were put in the same situation
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Hello and good evening everyone, This is a paragraph from my Samantha Irby essay: “Samantha Irby managed to have a one-on-one conversation with over 10 million people. Whether I relate to/with her that much or not she has stapled herself as one of the authors I more connected too than any others. Her book title itself, directly addresses the reader, something I did not originally pick up on and have only come to admire that creative choice more and more. She writes her life on these pages and takes strength and self empowerment in how vulnerable she allows herself to be in the retellings of her stories. This kind of vulnerability in her writing allows me to let my own guard down when reading it. A connection between the writer and reader is blossomed when this happens because of this environment of openness and the knowing you wont be judged by the person who has done the same foolish things you’ve done. Samantha Irby tells ordinary stories in the most interesting stories and for that she is the realest writer I’ve ever read.”
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For the Irby essay I am going with the relationship route. I feel like the connection is so strong in her writings that there is so much to talk about. Even a little more so than with Sedaris. There’s so much raw material in her writings to connect to and relate to.
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This year has brought me a lot of restraint lol I have had to be on a schedule and it’s not a bad thing I have had to forcefully be structured lol I like it though lol
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Thats a good idea! I have to remind myself what day it is sometimes! Ha! the days feel squished together.
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I am writing about my relationship with Irbybecause we are kind of the same person in so many ways. For example she talks about herself so conference and I do also I love who I am..
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Gotta hold the baby for a bit…. keep going guys. I’m watching… ❤️🖋
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For this essay I will also go the relationship route with Irby. I feel even though I have not connected with her as much as I did with Sedaris I still appreciate her raw uncensored approach to writing. I personally like how she has a very high self esteem and thinks of herself in a very positive light and I appreciate that seeing as she did not come from the easiest upbringing.
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I have been tested these past two weeks actually, with a coworker who lives for hovering and loves to micromanage. I seriously have been so fed up but I had to remind myself that I cannot control the actions of other people I only have the ability to control how I handle the situations so I sit back do my job and make sure to do it damn well. I just Breath.
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That sounds rough! Glad you’re able to take that step back and breath and try your best to do your job as best as you can
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It’s tough but manageable lol
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Hello, lately I’ve just been writing about the different things that have been happening and how they were made happen basically regrets. I’m thinking of what I should be doing instead of what I am more and more as the years coming to a close. I’d say that a paragraph to me means an explained or detailed thought that has its own pattern or reason for just being written. For the Irby essay I want to write in a different way than I did with the sedaris essay that’s less mellow. In this year I’ve been shown a couple times that you just have to deal to with things they are instead of changing them. The last time I was tested was when a friend in highschool last year dropped a hint on something to see how I would react to it, I was real blind for not noticing.
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Some much has happened to me this year and I could write a book about it. The only thing is that I don’t know how to start I think about it too much!
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I’m writing about her writing style… and poetic qualities, the freeing feel of her paragraphs… you???
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“the freeing feel of her paragraphs”, I like that.
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her paragraphs are definitely free
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Yes!! And at times, to your point Julia, to her detriment!! I agree with your assessment of little or no accountability. My dad, a philosophy major, had always asserted that freeness is framed with a taste of chaos.
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This year has taught me patience because all this stress of everything going on in the world.. you have to be patient to get things done.
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Explain your idea. Talk to us about how you are going to structure it, and support it.
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