Imitate a similar essay like “The Pain Scale”–Eula Biss

Biss uses the pain scale, a medical device, as both a topic (something to write about) and an instrument (something to write with). Choose a similar device-an index, a scale, a system of measurement, a form used for rating, ranking, or ordering-and write a similar essay-one that imitates the style and structure of “The Pain Scale” and one that thinks similarly about the ways we know and understand ourselves and others. When you are done, prepare a brief “preface” or “coda” in which you speak to your readers about this writing project as a project. What were you hoping to do? What did you achieve? What couldn’t you achieve? What is at stake for you, and for Eula Biss, in writing this way?