Travel Writing

Elements of Good Travel Writing

Travel writing:

• centers on a key event.
  
• uses background information that builds up to this event.
  
• may incorporate research to enhance the background information— even if the writer didn’t know the information things at the time of the trip.
  
• clearly describes the location and focuses on elements that are key to the story or experience.
  
• clearly describes any important people so that readers feel as if they know them a little.
  
• uses dialogue where possible to help the story“happen”for the reader .
  
• mixes reflections on the experience with the retelling to help the reader see the importance of the experience. 
  

Okay, now I want you to read some of the writing from the site Best Travel Writing. Take a look around the site and read at least three of the 10 stories on the "Great Stories" page. Use the analysis questions below to look at the stories to see what you like and what you think works. Start to think about some of those elements for your assignment. 

Analysis of Travel Writing

1. How does the author attempt to get the reader’s attention? Do you think this method is effective? Why or why not?

2. What kind of background information does the author give? Why is it necessary? Is there anything that you feel the author left out?

3. Does the author describe the setting? What kinds of details does he or she give? Why? Is there anything you wish the author had mentioned but didn’t?

4. Does the author describe any people? What kinds of details does he or she give about the people? Compare details about people with the way the author describes the location. What similar elements are provided? What different elements?
5. Does the author use any dialogue? If so, what does dialogue add to the writing? If not, where could the author make the story more lively?
6. What is the main event in the story? How do you know?
7. Are there any images or photos in the article? What do they add to the reading experience? 

Also check out these sites.
WorldHum
Smithsonian (This is a great article about the challenges of travel writing.)

Your assignment: 
TBA in class