Infinite Jest Lesson Plan

Getting Descriptive

Kind of Activity:

Individual Writing

Objective:

Students will render a scene in as much physical detail as possible.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.4

Structure:

Infinite Jest is a marvel of descriptive language: Wallace's locales and characters are truly alive and multi-dimensional, thanks to the author's meticulous attention to detail. From the very outset, Wallace creates a palpable sense of space as he delves into almost excruciating detail, with paragraphs that have the potential to go on for pages at a time.

For this activity, students will attempt to render a scene in as much detail as Wallace has done throughout his novel....