teaching writing AFFECTively

Two English 101 students today reminded me of the importance of writing instructors encouraging their students.  Both students complained about the same instructor.  Both felt the instructor made them feel like they’ll never learn to write well.  One came to tears over it.  One regretted not taking something else (which she had the option to [...]

Einstein’s brain and thinking outside the box

I was just listening to an NPR interview (on Fresh Air) of Walter Isaacson talking about his new biography of Einstein: Einstein: His Life and Universe (Simon & Shuster, 2007), and I was caught by something Isaacson said right at the end of the interview. Dave Davies had asked him, “Einstein is a metaphor for [...]

the healing power of nature — any help with writing?

Over Christmas, while I was in southern california visiting my parents, I read an article by Lisa Roberts on the Healing Power of Nature.
Nature is a cure-all for human physical and emotional ills, almost. It can “quite the mind, boost creativity and self-esteem, and lead to an acceptance of self and spiritual connection.” And of [...]

an eye shadow named “mildew” (abstract vs concrete language)

For a while I’ve been curious as to how metaphors, similes, sense-oriented details — anything that gives the mind something “concrete” to grasp — work on the reader’s mind. It’s probably just something to do with the fact that we are embodied creatures, and since our physical life gives us, obviously, our most vivid experiences, [...]

good grief ??

This morning, while glancing at the newspaper, I found myself openly weeping at the obituary of a 24-year-old woman shot to death by her boyfriend earlier this week. Of course, her loss was horrible, beyond horrible. But I think it got to me especially because of her photograph. Her faced glowed with warmth and intelligence, [...]