February 1

Twelve Blue = a reading experience; a "story"; a conceptual exploration.

Themes: reading v flowing + there are no minor characters(from the antithesis of water screen); multiple paths/multiple meanings (from Route 9 screen); self-reference about how to read this hypertext (in the "look out" screen) and. . .

Character, plot and relationships: we mostly figured that out - but there was some confusion - and each of us had information that the rest of us did not have.

Reading strategies: for the story, for the configuration, to follow a particular thread, random, to get an overall flow (for fun). . . and combinations and variations on these.

Assessment: OK - but not great literature?

In the class discussion I forgot to direct you to the critical/review articles (at the bottom of the last post). These articles give you an idea of how writers talk about these pieces.

Hypertext assignment: At the end of class we took a look at the assignment sheet for the hypertext assignment. If you have questions - bring them to class or post them on your blog. As I said in class, this is an English class - not a Technology class - so if you can plan your site - we will work together to get it onto the screen. What is important for you to do now is to do some brainstorming, freewriting, talking to friends about ideas for a hypertext project. Try to plan something that you could not do as a paper (non-hyperlinked) text. The link structure needs to be essential to your meaning or the experience of your work.

For Wednesday, we will continue reading examples of hyperlinked texts - and talking about the kind of "writing" you will do for Project 1.

Read: Frequently Asked Questions about Hypertext

Blog 2: What does "FAQ about Hypertext?" do? What is it about? What information do you have to be familiar with to "get" it?

Also - continue reading around in the ELC Vol 1 and come to class to talk about some of the pieces that interest you. In class we will discuss the "review" assignment (due during the last weeks of class).

Thanks for the good class and see you Wednesday.