Assignment:
For this paper, you will present a portrait of a friend or family member and, in doing so, rely on your own perspective and knowledge to guide your writing. This portrait will draw from your observations, memories, understandings, observations, and personal histories. Armed with this information, you will illuminate feelings and concepts through specific, concrete details. Please use an effective mixture of scenic detail, anecdote, cultural commentary and meaning making to bring your subject to life.
Following the example of Alexander Chees Portrait of My Father, you will select a close friend or family member and portray their personality, spirit and likeness through a series of carefully constructed vignettes and descriptions. Your goal is to use specific moments and minutiae to illustrate a vibrant sense of this person and your relationship to them.
Evaluation:
This portrait must depict the person in question with specific and meaningful detail. A narrow focus that emphasizes specific attributes and experiences will help direct your readers attention to important features of the portrait. Vivid details that you connect to ideas and feelings will make your portrait memorable. This paper must make full use of the spectrum of abstractions, deploying both concepts and details. The writing should be formal, engaging and free of errors. You will be graded on your writing and ideas.