DRAFT
FINAL
For the fourth Bridge project in Integrative Seminar, our task was to write a braided essay reminiscent of Christopher Benfey’s “Wittgenstein’s Handles”. Benfey weaves the different definitions of handles throughout his piece. With that form in mind, we were to do the same, using the word we chose in our Integrative Studio class. Starting this Bridge project, I had no idea where I wanted to go with it or how I was even going to get it started. After reading Benfey’s piece, I felt hopeless, not knowing how to approach the project. As we were looking through the Diderot Encyclopédie at the Watson Library, I still did not have an idea for the project. I simply took photos of pages that caught my eye, and then it was only when I actually looked through the pictures I took when I started making progress.
This was the original list of words that I derived from the pages I documented.
Though some words stood out to me, not one of them was enough for me to do in-depth research on it. Frustrated, I let myself take a break and come back to it later on. I was in Studio class when Professor Mazza proposed the new task of physically creating something using our chosen word’s definition. Even then I still had not chosen a word. So, instead of brainstorming for ideas regarding the new task, I went back to looking through the pictures I took of the Diderot Encyclopédie.
It was the pages regarding mosaics that caught my eye.
Initially, it was the detailed illustration that piqued my interest. It was the fact that it was not your typical mosaic composed of broken glass that drew me in. This alone lead me to think that there are definitely other meanings for the word “mosaic,” leading me to choose it as my word for this project.
Writing the paper was challenging for me. I am not one to write creatively, so the idea of weaving definitions that have nothing to do with another seemed really complicated to me. I was glad that we were asked to create an annotated bibliography before starting on our actual paper, as it allowed me to grasp the different meanings of the word “mosaic” and get a feel for how I was going to weave these unrelated definitions together.
With the help of my lack in confidence with this project, it is safe to say that I was not exactly proud of my draft. Despite being a draft, I always like putting my best work out there. Though I want to say I did a good job of avoiding my paper from sounding like repeated encyclopedia entries, I know I was not as smooth with the braiding part of the essay. My transitions seemed really forced, as if I tried to salvage for words that would easily get me to the next definition.
After receiving feedback from Professor Wilson and being reassured I was on the right track, I gained more confidence in writing this paper. I felt more at ease, especially with Professor Wilson’s comments to use as guidance in finalizing my essay. In the end, I was really proud of what my paper turned out to be.
