Reference no: EM133372289

Case: Your first writing assignment for Nature Writing is a personal essay that focuses on something we can learn from interacting with the natural world. First and foremost, your essay should tell an engaging story that hooks your reader with a compelling narrative and inspires them to continue reading. Your story should feature a vivid natural setting, an intriguing cast of characters (remember: in addition to yourself and any other person you might choose to include, elements of the natural world-or even Nature itself-can be characters), and a meaningful point.

As a reminder, Sean Prentiss and Joe Wilkins describe nature writing as writing that "highlights the intricacy, beauty, danger, fear, and/or current conditions of the natural world, especially as it is perceived by a particular consciousness and spoken about in a particular voice" (10). In other words, nature writing:

• Explores the ever-evolving relationship between the natural world and its human inhabitants.
• Often draws upon scientific knowledge and factual information about the natural world, particularly in the form of natural history.
• Frequently incorporates subjective experience, personal observations, and philosophical or ethical reflections.
• Appeals to the senses of readers through vivid descriptions and evocative language.
• Tends to be written in the first person.Notes for Telling a Good Story
• Avoid platitudes and clichés: strive for fresh language and unique ideas.
• Use your own subjective experiences in or with nature to explore a larger theme or idea.
• Focus on the senses: use sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste to paint a memorable picture for your readers.
• Remember that sometimes less is more: while some exposition is useful, too much exposition can smother your idea.