Today, we had a workshop about vignettes. A vignette is a concise piece of writing that has many details in a small amount of space. This requires you to write with many descriptive words that make the piece very powerful and meaningful, and it should create a clear image in a reader’s mind. The easiest way to create this vignette is to find the goal of the writing, or what you want your reader to know, how you want them to feel, or what you want them to think when they finish reading your piece. The goal of my vignette is that I want the reader to be able to see that snakes are actually just a part of nature, and not as big of a threat as they may seem.

Vignette:

I watch as the snake curls around himself, trying to make a bed. He has had a long day. The hunt for food was tough, and he needs to rest before returning to his daily routine. His stripes are a sign that he is sleeping soundly, because they move rhythmically, up and down. The snake is alert though. He is a light sleeper. As I move slightly, he lifts its head and looks at me. He is threatened by my presence, and I am threatened by his. This mutual threat seems senseless, but we were each taught to fear one another. The snake slithers into a new position, and its smooth scales slide easily against each other. He keeps his head up, and facing front, making sure he is ready for anything that may be a threat. Although he is a predator, he is also prey.