Activating the senses

Fascinating discussion in class today. This was a creative writing class with seniors.

For the last couple of years, I have started the course using a provocative piece by Ryan Knighton called “A Blind Man’s Trip Will Change the Way You Think About Safaris.” It’s an incredible piece of writing and it does exactly what it says on the tin.

 I then ask students to write about “any topic of your choice, with the only requirement being that you describe things in exquisite and excessive detail, activating all five senses.” Today we moved on to imagine if you didn’t have one of your senses, or if it were greatly impaired, how would that experience would be different. I hope the students’ writing – which I won’t see for a few days yet - turns out as well as the discussion.

Some questions that came up during our discussion:

- What does a cathedral smell like?
- What does a hockey game sound like?
- Does a blind musician make music differently from a sighted musician?
- Is a deaf athlete at a disadvantage compared to one with perfect hearing?

Comments

  1. Tracy BroschMarch 5, 2024 at 7:26 AM

    My immediate answer to the first question was incense. I love talking about this!... just the questions paint detailed images in my mind. Enjoy the writing!

    ReplyDelete

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