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Lesson 1 (from Visits, p. 4-19)

Objective

Visits, p. 4-19

The first chapter introduces us to John Edgar Wideman and also to his writing style. This lesson discusses John Edgar Wideman's writing, for how it reveals his strategies for using language to convey meaning.

Lesson

1. Close Reading: Read the first few paragraphs, and analyze the writing style. How does John Edgar Wideman write? What kinds of words does he use? How are his sentences structured? What is the tone?

2. Small Group Discussion: Ask students to work together in small groups to characterize John Edgar Wideman's style. When or how does he vary from that cadence ? What does he lay emphasis on when he varies from his typical sentences? Ask each group to report back to the class after some time for discussion.

3. Class Discussion: How would you characterize John Edgar Wideman's values as a writer? What does he talk about? How does he...

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