Monday, May 6, 2013

One Table Over: The Final Essay

One table over, Dr. Dodson is reading through the final essays from an earlier class. I'm just about to write mine. I've got two hours to type up something that will wow her into slapping an A on my paper.

I've done well in this class so far, but this impromptu essay over an unknown poem by an unknown poet--which must be properly analyzed, properly punctuated and properly cited--has got me chewing my fingernails down to the skin.

I'm a fair writer, I think. I used to think I was a spectacular writer. I used to feel so accomplished and intelligent with every A I earned. Under this pressure, I think, I hope, I pray I'll slip out of here with a B.

NO!!! I need an A! (What am I thinking?) I know the day will come when I may have to face a possible B, but it is not this day! (Thank you, Aragorn.)

My classmates have assured me I have nothing to worry about. "No prob," they're saying. "You got this," they're saying. "I'm scared," I'm saying.

They're not sweating it because they aren't English Majors like me. They don't have to crawl back here next Fall and look Dr. Dodson in the eye when she's teaching Dystopian Lit.

And I do.

12 comments:

  1. Dystopian Lit? Interesting.

    Luck on your essay. I think you'd do fine.

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    1. I think I did okay. My final grade was an A. I wish I could have my essay back so I could see her comments.

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  2. Wishing you well and don't stress it.

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  3. So many things I don't miss about school... this would be one of them.

    Youngest announced that he was "shooting for all C's in middle school next year"

    Way to aim high bud... way to aim high.

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    1. I had a couple of those high aimers in my brood. One of them is flipping burgers at Wendy's as I type this. (I don't know whether to point and laugh, or bawl my eyes out.)

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  4. I love your writing and I'm sure you'll do it :)

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    1. Thanks, Dicky! I got an A, so I guess I did okay. Dr. Dodson doesn't give them lightly.

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  5. You're going to take a Dystopian Lit class?

    How cool is THAT?

    You've gotta post the reading list when you get it!

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    1. I've got the list. The Giver is not on it, which bums me out.However, I have read three of the books already, so I'll be fine.

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  6. You're more than a fair writer. I bet your essay will be excellent. When I was in high school, I hated the analysis of poems and novels with a deeper message, picked by the teacher. I only enjoyed the books I picked myself. That's why I studied physics and retained literature as a hobby.

    Cold As Heaven

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    1. I have been doing very well, so far. I don't like everything she gives us to read, but I don't seem to have a problem reading it.

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