Most artists keep a sketchbook, containing quick sketches for future reference, to capture moments of inspiration. Pass out the following guidelines and have your students develop a writer's sketchbook.

          Artists carry sketchbooks to capture images they find fascinating. We are going to do the same thing, but we will capture our images with words. Sometimes we will write from still images in class. Sometimes we will write from film images. Sometimes, if it can be arranged, we will describe guest speakers or scenes from field trips---all for the purpose of painting.

          Like an artist, you will be asked to use your sketchbook to create your own art work and also to study the writing of the masters. For this assignment you will need to locate a folder with two pockets---one pocket for paragraphs created by you, and one for copied or Xeroxed paragraph sketches written by published authors.

          Over the next four weeks, you will need to create ten original images of one or two paragraphs each and locate ten professional sketches of one or two paragraphs each. If you create or find a technique we have discussed in class and can identify it, you will earn bonus points. Your task is to experiment and explore. Let your camera eye tell you what images look powerful in what you read and what you write. Any work of fiction or nonfiction may be used.