Read an article from a literary journal. Any of them really, though The Paris Review produces and recommends some excellent ones (more on that to come). The more scholastic the article the better.
Because -
After you read it, you write an abstract for it. Yes, yes I know, it sounds awful. But here's the twist:
Write the abstract in the author's voice, but with your reaction to the article!
It's a double-bias!
The effectiveness of your abstract depends on the authenticity of two things:
- Your pantomime
- Your criticism (whether constructive or deconstructive).
An effective abstract should, for now, also prompt the reader to continue on and scan the original article because, like all things academic, a critical response should be weighed against the original subject by an informed (preferably objective) third party. So... really, this is more of a game for the writer not the reader... And I apologize for that self-indulgence (though all are invited to join!). But please know, as I'm soon to post my first attempt at this game, it's meant to be entertaining. And, if it's wildly successful, will do what so many critical responses do nowadays -
Erase the need to read the source. (<-- kapow!)
Or, it'll do what too few do: Inspire it. (<-- that's the big one)
Let the social commentary begin!
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