Canvas - “But Tell It Slant: From Poetry to Prose and Back Again”
Cofer concludes, “The moral is good writing is good writing. And that it begins with the pause of the artist before a blank canvas, the discipline of the restraint that was best expressed by Richard Hugo when he advised the writer, “Think small, if you have a large mind it will show itself.” The ‘blank canvas’ is emblematic of a writer’s mind at the beginning of writing. Initially, a writer may lack ideas or subjects, but through thinking, and writing of poems, his/ or her mind, gets occupied with ideas that can be transformed into ‘good writing.’ It takes creativity, thinking and brainstorming to compile worthy writing.
Modesty - “The Myth of the Latin Woman”
Cofer recounts, "As a girl I was kept under strict surveillance, since virtue and modesty were by cultural equation, the same as family honor. As a teenager I was instructed on who to behave as a proper senorita." The Puerto Rican culture emphasizes on decency of girls. Girls who misbehave bring bad reputation to their families. Girls bear a humongous burden to ensuring that their families are respected. Accordingly, decorum is the primary virtue for any Puerto Rican female for it dictates her worth in society.
Poems - “But Tell It Slant: From Poetry to Prose and Back Again”
Cofer notes, ""In teaching a multigenre workshop I try to keep an ongoing discussion on good writing as the basis for both prose and poetry." Poems are central in Cofer's workshops for they permit writers to brainstorm ideas which can be expanded into lengthy prose. Having a poem offers a starting for the writing process which would have been difficult if one went straight to writing prose.
Dressing - “The Myth of The Latin Woman”
Cofer explains, "When a Puerto Rican girl dressed in her idea of what is attractive meets a man from the mainstream culture who has been trained to react to certain types of clothing as sexual signal, a clash is likely to take place." Puerto Rican attire may be perceived as a sexual gesture even when the dresser's intention is to look attractive. Perceptions of dressing style vary differently between the Puerto Rican setting and the mainstream context. The Puerto Rican garb has contributed to the perpetuation of myths regarding their sexualities.
Harassment - “The Myth of The Latin Woman"
Cofer recounts, "I recall hearing about the harassment that Puerto Rican women endured in factories where the "boss men" talked to them as if sexual innuendo was all they understood." Harassment of the Latina females is based on the stereotypes that they are sexual objects who would naturally accept sexual advances of any men. The harassment imperils women at the workplaces.
