Nothing Into Something For this option, using William Least-Heat Moon’s and Anni

Nothing Into Something
For this option, using William Least-Heat Moon’s and Annie Dillard’s essays as models, embark on a similar project of using description to reveal more than meets the eye in your chosen location. (This revelation will be your thesis, or main point, so you may hint at it in your introduction if you like.)
In your discussion, you might consider: What makes a place “something,” a significant or happening place that draws people to it? And what makes a place “nowhere,” or out-of-the-way, a place people tend to avoid? What would it take to show that a nothing place still contains something of value?
In E.B. White’s essay, it is personal experience in a location that lends it deeper meaning; for Mark Twain, it is his knowledge of the river that forever changes how he sees it — if you like, you may bring in these kinds of connections as you describe your place. Be sure to bring in a least one quote each from at least two of these four authors (Moon, Dillard, White, and Twain) in the body of your essay.
2. Walking, Watching, and Wondering
For this topic, you’ll be exploring your surroundings on a walk, and using description to take us along with you: tell us where you went, and why you chose these locations and routes. Describe some of the things you noticed, as well as some of the things you thought about. You should connect your discussion with Mark Rudman’s “Mosaic on Walking” and Brent Staples’ “Just Walk On By: Black Men In Public Space, bringing in at least one quote from each author. (You may, of course, use quotes from any of the other essays we’ve read, too!) Rudman focuses on the physical process of walking itself, as well as on the memories it stirs and the way it connects the walker to the city; you might connect any part of your experience to his essay: did you pass familiar places? What did they make you think about? What was your breathing like, what was the air like? What did you notice about the architecture, or the people, that you saw? Staples focuses on his awareness of how others are viewing him, and the steps he takes to try and change their perception; how much are you aware of these things as you walk? How much do you think others’ view of you is being affected by what you’re wearing, how you look, or the area you’re walking in? Finally, tell us what the “takeaway” was, or what you learned from the experience of taking the walk and reflecting on the readings. (This will also be your “thesis,” or main point, so you may want to present it or hint at it in your introduction, as well.)