This document provides an overview and instructions for an assignment to craft a hybrid collage essay focusing on an obsession or passion of the student's choosing. Students are asked to narrow their topic to a specific obsession/passion and consider its catalyst. They should write the essay in short vignettes/fragments that weave together to challenge the reader's understanding, similar to Maggie Nelson's book Bluets. The essay must include specific craft elements like references, etymological definitions, personal experiences, cultural references, addresses to the reader, and manifestations of the obsession/passion. It should attempt to imitate Nelson's tone while making it their own. The goal is for students to push beyond their obsession/passion and complicate

1. ENGL 208-03 Page 1 of 3
Essay ala Bluets
Overview:
For this assignment, you will craft a hybrid collage essay that focuses on your own
obsession/passion. Consider how Maggie Nelson starts with falling in love with a color as an
obsession/passion while detailing the changes she undergoes through her relationships to others
and the world around her. Bluets pushes beyond the color blue and love by complicating what we
know and feel, and you are asked to do the same. Much like how Maggie Nelson delves into and
out of understandings of the color blue and love, you will also dive into the worlds that shape your
experiences and the making of meaning.
The first part of your assignment will require you to narrow down an obsession/passion you want
to shape your essay around. A question to get you started can simply follow “What are you
obsessed with?” and/or “What are you passionate about?” and build from there. Your
obsession/passion can focus on concrete things/phenomena and/or abstractions, but you can also
consider blurring the concrete and abstract. Keep in mind that your obsession/passion does not
need to extend into where you are at now, but it could be something from your past, however
temporary or lasting. Think of a focal point for obsession/passion. Or is it more of a hierarchy of a
metaphor relating to the obsession/passion? What is at the top of this hierarchy? How does the
fulcrum of obsession/passion lead to new directions and meaning?
After narrowing down the main focus of your essay, you will also need to consider the catalyst for
your obsession/passion. You should be digging into experiences, objects, and obsession/passion
itself to give way to meaning. What prompts change for you considering your obsession/passion?
How have you been drawn out of this obsession/passion? What events are meaningful you in light
of this and other perspectives/lenses?
Your essay should engage your reader with your experiences relevant to your obsession/passion
while also drawing them into a world beyond through various lenses and perspectives. In order to
do this, you will write in the form of short vignettes/fragments and organize them in a way that
challenges and complicates your reader’s understanding of obsession/passion in a new way. Think
back to our Adrienne Rich reading that discusses truth as an increasing complexity, “the pattern of
the carpet is a surface.” Consider how your vignettes/fragments will weave together into a
surface/space for your reader to grapple with truth.
Necessary Craft Elements:
--Exercise the art of meditation: include questions to the self, the reader, declarative statements
about such things as love, longing, desire, need.
--Include at least 3 references to a philosopher, psychologist, artist or associated theory.
--Include at least 3 specific etymological definitions of specific words, phrases and/or idioms.
These definitions will show the underpinnings, connotations, denotations, and history of language
as it relates to and evolves from ideas/concepts/examples from your story.
--Include at least 5 instances of personal history/experience told in exposition (versus scene).

2. ENGL 208-03 Page 2 of 3
--Include at least 3 recent things you have read/overheard/encountered, whether they are in class,
in your apartment, your hometown, etc. Play/riff on these conversations and perspectives as you
see fit.
--Include at least one other correspondent for your obsession/passion. Who has something to say
about your obsession/passion? Who is witness to you and others?
--Include at least 3 direct addresses to the reader.
--Include at least 5 manifestations/images/examples of your obsession/passion in everyday life.
Where is this passion/obsession seen in culture/pop culture? The environment? Nature? Consider
an objective correlative, or how “things” and “objects” intertwine with your story in a metaphorical
or literal sense. How are you drawn to the qualities of things: what are you drawn to, what do you
need from “things” as they relate to your experiences of the world?
--Include at least 3 instances of “Perhapsing” or “Supposing”
--Attempt to imitate the tone and style of Bluets throughout, but also take liberty to make it your
own. Be honest! Take some risks!!!
--You will need at least 50 total vignettes/fragments in your hybrid collage essay. Build off of the
narratives, ideas, and questions from your journals!
Due Dates:
Rough Draft: Sunday, March 31st
@ 11:59 pm.
Final Draft: Sunday, April 14th
@ 11:59 pm.