African Writing Project

Alternate Art Resource: Visit the Baobab Center on University Avenue. Peruse. Become inspired. Write. Repeat.

• Choose a country in Africa.
• Research the culture of this country. Take notes. These notes will be turned in for credit during this project! Please use MLA format for your works cited page. See the sidebar for MLA format and information.
• Remember: Culture can include: food, fashion, quality of living, economics, historical events, government, philosophy/religion, traditions, entertainment, music, literature, dance, art, roles of men, women, and children, education, sexual orientation, ethics, minority classes, etc.
• Look for areas of conflict (as conflict is often what stories, plays, and poems focus on). A Good story is usually about a person trying to find their place in their world. Often outside forces or rules prevent a character from achieving his/her goal until he/she finds a way to win. Most stories are about surviving--not about being defeated or crushed by society and rules (unless you are writing a horror story).
• Create a specific setting, character(s), and quickie plot (do a quick plot synopsis for yourself so that your first draft has a definite direction!). These elements will be due at the end of next class. The quickie plot should be no longer than a paragraph or so and should identify the specific setting and main characters.

Remember: Getting info on the internet can be tricky.

• For up to date statistical information about a certain country, try looking at the CIA website Factbook. (www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook)

• Use the search engine Altavista.com for African newspapers and journals.

• Use google.com IMAGES for pictorial inspiration.

HOMEWORK: Please read 3, 4, or 5 of the AFRICAN short stories in Other Voices, Other Vistas.