At the beginning of Monday’s class, we will meet virtually with Roy Peter Clark, award-winning author and teacher of journalism at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida. To prepare for Clark’s visit, read and annotate his article “The Power of the Pun, from Shakespeare to Walter Cronkite to Roy Peter Clark,” and compose a brief summary of the article in your journal.
As you read “The Power of the Pun,” consider these questions:
- In the section of the article “A Career Launched by Word Play,” where does Clark shift from summary to scene?
- In the next section, what example of layered language does he offer?
- What observations about writing or strategies that he mentions might prove useful to you as you continue to revise your literacy narrative?
Extra-Credit Opportunity
Completing the following extra-credit assignment will earn you five bonus points for your third Check, Please! worksheet:
Directions
- On a three-by-five note card, write your first and last name, course and section number, and Monday’s date. If you do not have three-by-five note cards, ask for one at the circulation desk at the library.
- Below that information, write a question that you might ask Roy Peter Clark during his virtual visit. The question may be about your own writing, his writing or his career as a writer, or his work as a teacher of writing.
- Be prepared to stand at the instructor’s station and ask Mr. Clark your question. He may have time to field only one or two questions, but you should be prepared to volunteer.
- Submit your notecard at the end of the class period.
Next Up
On Monday, after our virtual visit with Roy Peter Clark, we will examine the sample literacy narrative “A Bridge to Words.” You do not need to print the file posted on Blackboard. You will receive a paper copy in class.
Jane Lucas 