Download File - Creative Writing II

Reading Review: “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Abstraction” by David Jauss
1. What does the author mean by “abstraction” in writing?
2. How are emotions at odds with abstractions? (66)
3. What does it mean, “Never name an emotion…never start explaining or
analyzing or interpreting an emotion” (66)
4. In section II “The Misuses of Abstraction,” the author argues that we tend to
“bypass” the senses in favor of abstraction. What does he mean and why is
this a problem? (66-67)
5. The author argues instead of describing detail, we “gloss.” What does this
mean and why is it a problem? (68-9)
6. In section III, “Let’s Get Physical: Body Language,” what does body language
consist of and how do most writers handle it in their writing? (69-70)
7. Regarding the section “Body Language and Individuation,” what does it mean
to have descriptive details be “individuating”?
8. In section IV “Getting Physical Through Metaphor,” how can metaphor assist
with making writing more concrete and sensual? Give an example from the
text. (72-73)
9. Regarding the section “Metaphor and Particularization,” what does the
author mean that “the principle problem with abstractions is that they’re
one-size-fits-all; they are umbrella germs, as generic as possible, and so don’t
convey different gradations of emotion” and so metaphor can help
particularize an abstraction? Give an example from the text. (74-75)
10. Regarding section V “Conjoined Abstraction,” what does the author mean by
“conjoining abstraction” and why is it useful in writing? (75)
11. Regarding section VI “Some Caveats,” what are some final warnings the
author gives the reader?
12. As a writer, what can you take away from this essay?