As you compose your Autoethnographic Essay, you will inevitably introduce characters–or individuals with whom you’ve interacted–that shaped you in some way. Today, we’ll look at three examples of how published authors have built characters in their writing in an effort to help you make progress on your own autoethnographic narratives.

Building Character

If you’ve started drafting your autoethnographic essay, access that writing. If you haven’t started drafting, pull up a blank document or take out a piece of paper. You might also want to pull up this list of qualities of autoethnographic essays and scroll to the last two pages where you already brainstormed possible topics. Take a minute to re-familiarize yourself with the topic you want to explore for this assignment. Remember, YOU are your primary source; the autoethnographic essay is first and foremost about you.

We’ll read samples on the “Building Character” handout together and think about the following: Describe the character(s) in each sample. What do we learn about the author-as-character? What do we learn about the other characters in the passage/poem?

Now it’s your turn! Individually and quietly, take some time to craft a character that is important to you, your topic, and your story. As you create your character, think about the following:

• How do you, as a character in your own writing, interact with another character/characters?
• What are your characters doing?
• How are they moving?
• What are they thinking?
• What are they saying? What dialogue might you include? What languages or Englishes might these characters speak?

If we have time after individual writing, I’d like us to share as a group.

Writing Center Support + EXTRA CREDIT

A representative from the Queens College Writing Center (QCWC) will be visiting our class today to introduce QCWC support and show you how to make an appointment.

You can receive 5 points extra credit (that’s the equivalent of a blog post OR 5 missed class points!) AND get support towards your final Autoethnographic Essay if you make an appointment with the QCWC. Here’s how to earn these points and receive support:

1. Visit the Queens College Writing Center website and click “Login or Create an Appointment.” If you’ve never visited the site before, you’ll need to create a new user profile to select an appointment time that works for you.
2. Make an appointment with a tutor BEFORE December 16th. Note that the Writing Center offers remote sessions on Friday and weekends! The Writing Center will also host drop-in evening hours on Thursday, December 12th.
3. After your appointment, write a 250-300-word reflection. Some reflection points might be:
   • What did you bring to your writing center session? What did you leave with?
   • What stage were you at in your writing process? How did your tutor help move you forward?
   • Describe your session. What strategies did the tutor use to communicate with you or to encourage writing and thinking during your session?
   • How did the writing center space help or hinder your process?
4. Post your reflection to your blog by December 17th to receive extra credit!

HOMEWORK

Continue working on your Autoethnographic Essay.