Weingarten's Essay 'How I Learned How To Write'
AP Lang nonfiction reading project
1. Weingarten's essays are as compelling as they are unlikely. He draws his material from obscure stories nobody would even consider pursuing and describes them in such a way that the reader feels as though they are reading a fantastic novel. If Weingarten's writing skills are adept enough to enliven even the most unnoticed situations, how come he doesn't focus solely on extravagant or amazing situations that would be easy for him to write about? What is the purpose of his choice of writing?
2. The Great Zucchini gives the reader a glimpse into the life of Eric Knaus; a professional children's entertainer who's knack for mesmerizing kids provides a stark contrast from his disheveled personal life. Where does Eric's dysfunction stem from? What compelled him to choose his vocation?
3. In the book's first essay "How I learned How to Write", Weingarten gives the reader his philosophy on writing and how he became a writer himself. He also writes about what makes and breaks writers and what separates the great ones from the bad ones. What can one learn about Weingarten as a journalist? What does Weingarten think makes writing compelling and appealing? …show more content…
The Fiddler in the subway is a wonderfully well written essay about the world-renowned violinist Joshua Bell playing his heart out to thousands of oblivious commuters in a D.C subway while disguised as a homeless man. This essay is the main attraction of the book and even serves as its namesake. Weingarten's writing style and the situation of the essay makes the reading humorous and lighthearted but the underlying implication of the story is rather depressing. Weingarten seems to subtly imply that the fine arts are not recognized and admired very often in today's culture. What was the purpose of the connotation Weingarten was trying to convey through this essay? Why should we regard the arts? How does an appreciation of art benefit us
1. Weingarten's essays are as compelling as they are unlikely. He draws his material from obscure stories nobody would even consider pursuing and describes them in such a way that the reader feels as though they are reading a fantastic novel. If Weingarten's writing skills are adept enough to enliven even the most unnoticed situations, how come he doesn't focus solely on extravagant or amazing situations that would be easy for him to write about? What is the purpose of his choice of writing?
2. The Great Zucchini gives the reader a glimpse into the life of Eric Knaus; a professional children's entertainer who's knack for mesmerizing kids provides a stark contrast from his disheveled personal life. Where does Eric's dysfunction stem from? What compelled him to choose his vocation?
3. In the book's first essay "How I learned How to Write", Weingarten gives the reader his philosophy on writing and how he became a writer himself. He also writes about what makes and breaks writers and what separates the great ones from the bad ones. What can one learn about Weingarten as a journalist? What does Weingarten think makes writing compelling and appealing? …show more content…
The Fiddler in the subway is a wonderfully well written essay about the world-renowned violinist Joshua Bell playing his heart out to thousands of oblivious commuters in a D.C subway while disguised as a homeless man. This essay is the main attraction of the book and even serves as its namesake. Weingarten's writing style and the situation of the essay makes the reading humorous and lighthearted but the underlying implication of the story is rather depressing. Weingarten seems to subtly imply that the fine arts are not recognized and admired very often in today's culture. What was the purpose of the connotation Weingarten was trying to convey through this essay? Why should we regard the arts? How does an appreciation of art benefit us