You've probably been writing since you were six or seven years old, and you're probably pretty good at it by now. (Unfortunately, most people think they're NOT good at writing, so don't be surprised if you think that about yourself. But if you do, you might try to figure out why you have that opinion.) Nevertheless, here you are, sitting in yet another English class--this could be the thirteenth straight year of writing instruction for you. If this is your first experience in college, you may be a bit scared and a bit excited by the idea that this course just might be different from all those English courses in your past. Or if you've already taken other college courses, you might be a bit disillusioned by now--or not, depending on who you are and how lucky you've been. (If you've already tried this particular course before--well, what can I say that you'll believe. Courage!)

So what are you feeling right now? You're sitting here, in this classroom, pen or pencil in hand, paper in front of you, perfectly blank (the paper, I mean). You're beginning this writing course. How do you feel about it? How do you feel about writing and about having to take a writing course?
 

A FEW ASSURANCES BEFORE YOU BEGIN: I won't grade what you write. I won't use it to embarrass you. I don't care how long or short it is, only that you write what you feel and that you try to write truth. I don't care about your spelling, or your grammar, or your punctuation, or your handwriting. I'm interested only in what's on your mind, in what you what me to know. I might use a few samples of good writing from this batch of writings in class next time, so if for some reason you don't want your writing shared with others, just write "Don't use in class" at the top of the page.