Writing an essay with an "agenda"

Brett Lott's definition of CNF indicates that writing with an agenda is not really what the genre is about; rather - he emphasized the persisted questioning and the importance of entering multiple perspectives. At the same time - a number of CNF essays we've read so far (Final Cut, Marvin Gardens, The Patch, Invisible Man) in our text have definitely made forceful points - though they did so indirectly. Tonight's class was about examining the strategies these essays use to argue an agenda (and there is no doubt that many CNF essays do exactly that) without degenerating into a rant - or assaulting their reader's sensibilities.

You listed issues you could write an "agenda" essay about, wrote from the other perspective (to explore both sides), and then wrote a section/paragraph that would set up/introduce the issue without polarizing the discussion. The strategies you used to set up your subject material were the focus of the class discussion. Although you used different strategies in terms of content - the stance toward the material was descriptive, "objective" and often in the third person. You described persons, places or things, scenes, processes, actions/interactions, and so on - but always in the even, contained voice of the observer who renders the details - the complex, dynamic circumstances - that define the issue. These approaches can engage both the reader and the writer in genuine contemplation of the material at hand - which is the object of CNF.

Blog 17: Essay 3

In class Monday you will work in groups on giving/receiving feedback on your work. You will also have the opportunity to sign up for conferences.

I hope to have some time to give you some blog feedback over the weekend that might support you in working through your draft.