A Yellow Raft in Blue Water

A Yellow Raft in Blue Water

Text overview: Yellow Raft in Blue Water is a novel, which explores, among other themes, the effect on the human psyche of abandonment, denial and resentment. Characters respond variously to these issued; as a consequence, some life changes are voluntary, some are forced.

Points to ponder: Before writing think about words we associate with the word “change.” Draw some inferences about the nature of change and why it can produce such ambivalence in humans.

Writing Situation: It is said that among humans fear of change is greater than fear of death. Why is it so hard to change? What is it about the process of change that makes people fearful? Why do we need to change anyway?

Writing Directions: You will write an autobiographical incident about a time you experienced change in your life. This incident might be about voluntary change, or change forced upon you by people or circumstance. Discuss this incident, making it come alive for the reader, and indicate the significance of this incident for you.

Peer Edit: You will have a fellow classmate edit your work by the end of the block. He/she will print their name as proof of editing on the upper left hand side. A lousy job by the editor will result in them losing 40% on their own assignment! On Friday you will redo your assignment and turn it in.

Editors will look for the following:

• What is the focus of this paper?

• What parts should be developed more?

• What could be added or taken away?

• What parts are hard to understand or need to be clearer?

• Does the sequence make sense? Is any part out of order?

• Are there ANY grammar, spelling or punctuation errors?