The document discusses several essays that use personal stories and connect them to broader historical contexts and themes. It provides details on four essays: "Fourth State of Matter" by Jo Ann Beard connects events in the author's personal life like her dog dying and husband leaving to broader themes through metaphor. The structure of "Fourth State of Matter" resembles the "visual personal essay" form. "The Devil's Bait" by Leslie Jamison shows a clear structure with scenes, dialogue, and reflection woven together. The document asks if reading "Fourth State of Matter" would make the reader feel itchy and provides instructions for student groups to critique each other's creative arts pieces.

1. Into the Fourth Genre we go

2. Historical Selves, Larger World
In Tell It Slant, the authors discuss “gathering the
threads of history” or using an historical frame for a
personal story
In “Fourth State of Matter” Jo Ann Beard does just this.
What events are happening in the essay?

3. Fourth State of Matter
Dog is dying
Husband is gone
Squirrels have taken over a room in her house
Narrator has a job editing a physics journal
Coworkers are murdered in a killing spree
So what connects these threads? Is one more important
than the other? Hint: metaphor? Theme?

4. Structure
Thinking about Bascom’s “Visualizing the Personal
Essay,” what shape does “Fourth State of Matter” seem
to have?

5. The Devil’s Bait by Leslie Jamison
Observations about structure. Is there a shape to the
essay?
Scene
Dialogue
Reflection
Metaphor
What is this essay about?
Sourcing/reportage

6. Most important question
Did reading this essay make you feel itchy?

7. SITE SF Critique
Once groups are designated, you will sit and exchange
pieces.
Decide on an order for critique
Sit and read (to yourselves) one piece at a time.
For example: If Andrew is the first in his group, then
the whole group will sit and read Andrew’s piece, and
then discuss it. When the discussion is finished, then
move on to the second person in the group.

8. Critique:
Description: Does the author describe the piece (as in: its name, its creator,
what it is—is there any confusion for the reader? Does the description come in
a good spot in the piece? (That doesn’t necessarily mean the beginning)
Analysis: Is there information about the medium of the piece (video, painting,
multimedia)
Interpretation/reflection: Description alone isn’t enough. What is the author
saying about the piece? Is the point clear? Are there competing ideas that
perhaps should be more focused? Places in the text that could be more
elaborated upon?
Review/judgment: Not required, but if it’s in play, is the judgment clear,
proven, persuasive?
Interview: Not required, but if the writer undertook a more journalistic
approach, is the information clear? Are there more questions you want
answered?
Writing: Does this piece start in the right place (lede); are there other
suggestions you can make for the author’s revision?

9. CRITIQUE GROUPS/ arts pieces
Group 1:
Zoe, Ryan, Ana Stina, Johanna
Group 2
Marisa, No Shoes, Brantlee
Group 3
Maria, Cris, Charlie, Felicia
Group 4
Maggie, Deanna, Rosie, Andrew