Grocery List Assignment

Go to this archive of grocery lists. Pick out a list, print it out, and examine it to determine or create a character, based on your detailed study of the list.  Use the questions below to take notes to help you analyze the writer of the list and his or her situation.  After taking these notes, you will write one of the options below:

·        a description of this character’s life from his/her perspective or 3^rd (omnicient or limited) person

·        a story involving this character

·        a description of this character’s day

·        a fantasy or science fiction story involving the “character”

·        a poem from the character’s perspective

1. Pick out a shopping list.  Whichever one strikes your fancy/intrigues you.  Print it out!  Why did you pick it?
2. Look at the paper used.  What does it say about the person? 
3. Examine the handwriting, mechanics, use of language, and abbreviations.  What does it say about the person’s background, style, and whatever else you’d like to read into it!
4. What is on the list?  How specific are the foods?  What kinds of foods/brands does the person prefer?  What does that say about the person.  Are there any non-foods on the list?
5. What do these purchases say about the gender, age, interests, habits and needs of this person? 
6. Is the person in a hurry?
7.  Does he or she shop all at once or is he or she just picking up a few items? 
8. What else, if anything, is on the list besides items to buy?  Why?
9. What was the mood of the person while writing this list?

Learn more about the grocery list website: New York Times article about grocerylists.org