The task was to write a creative response to Tobias Wolff This Boy’s life and then write a Reflective Commentary. It was suggested we write 800-1,200 words for our prose response and approximately 200-300 words for the Reflective Commentary.

We discussed this in class and did a lot of research at home for it.  We had to read the book and make a decision as to what part(s) of the book we’d concentrate on. I read it very carefully and decided to write about the time Wolff tried to cash a false check (cheque).

The Reflective Commentary asked us to record and comment on the stages we’d gone through in the writing process.  I found this a wonderful process as it meant I could put in all my thoughts prior to choosing this scene and then write even more about what else I’d done.  Reading back on the details of the task I realise how much I left out but it was a task I enjoyed.

I read the book, chose the scene I wanted to use, scribbled lots of notes (only five pages, but it seemed more), wrote a draft of both parts and then wrote the final copy of each.

The section I chose was an incident where Wolff was trying to cash in a fake check (I’ve chosen to use the American spelling throughout as it’s an American book). I write more about Wolff’s behaviour as detailed in the book tomorrow.  For the sake of brevity in the title I’ve called it SAC which stands for School Assessed Coursework and it’s an essay or composition done at school under exam conditions.