Over 50 people attended the first Pop-Up University public lecture by Dr. April Lidinsky on September 26. Campus and community members learned the history of the personal essay and brainstormed ideas for their own essays. According to Dr. Lidinsky, the personal essay shows the mind at work, forges connections between the particular and the universal, and adds personal voices to cultural conversations. Dr. Lidinsky shared tips for writing personal essays, including the need to pay attention, and to “unplug, listen, and look.” Audience members left the lecture understanding the transformative nature of personal essays; we learned how it allows us to try new things, to go to new places, and to have brave conversations. Let’s get busy and write now!
Dr. Lidinsky also challenged the audience to submit their personal essays to our local radio station, WVPE. The local station put out a call for essays in this statement: “WVPE welcomes listener commentaries about contemporary life. Commentaries should be no longer than 4 minutes when read aloud, and should be of interest to a broad listening audience. We welcome stories that reflect a diversity of experiences and perspectives.” In response to this call, April provided the audience with a structure for brainstorming a radio-style personal essay. Thanks again to our speaker Dr. April Lidinsky and all who came out to write!
If you are interested in submitting a personal essay, send your commentaries to wvpe@wvpe.org for consideration!
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