The Writer's Choice: An Inventory of Being

The Inventory of Being is a poetic exercise that I use at the beginning of the quarter to help students to share a bit of their own personal lives before we dive into the hard task of acquiring academic voices and writing analytically. Students were given Leah Wait's poem "Ellie: An Inventory of Being" and asked to model it. They then posted their versions in Blackboard and were asked to read and comment on each others' poems. I then took snippets out of each of their poems and created a class inventory of being, which is posted here. I think this activity worked out great in helping students get to know one another and familiarize themselves with Blackboard.

Inventory of Being

I am English 98

I am a chick breaking out of her shell.
I am a student, but also learning for life.
I am a man, parent, child, and friend, but mostly I am human…I hope.

I like pears and giant pinecones
I like searching for Easter Eggs
I love chicken gizzards and ranch dressing
I love someone who is far away from me.
I own a million stars in a clear night sky.

I believe in myself not in role models.
I believe in god, but I think he does not believe in me.

I am uncertain of our world, our place on earth.
I wish life were easier, but I wouldn't be the person I am today.
I wish I could change the past, and appreciate the unknown.
I try to smile as much as I can.

My Fictional hero is Peter pan. I wish I could live in Neverland.
I one day wish to be an Oscar Meyer Weinermobile driver.
I cannot live without the people I care about
I mix things up like salsa

A dozen roses will melt my heart.
A gorgeous day will make me smile.
Dogs are very funny –
They make me laugh and smile.
I know that taking vacations is just as important as working.
I hope I win the lottery.

I hate being cold, but I love the snow
I love walking in the rain, but hate to get wet
I am scared of heights, but I want to go skydiving.
I know that I’m a good person,
But sometimes I can’t help but think bad thoughts.

I don’t wish on stars,
I never regret anything,
I'm afraid of the future, but I know it'll come.
And I’m afraid of hurting others feelings due to my actions.

I try not to hate things but I’m not sure if I hate, or just strongly dislike spiders.
I do not understand the feeling of the person who makes a fool of other people.
I think we should have peace.

Life is short and you should spend the most of it with loved ones.
I hope tomorrow I can do a better job than what I did today.
I hope to become the person I was meant to be.
I believe everyone is here for a reason

We are English 98 and this Spring 2007.