The Literacy Narrative OverviewRooney - English 101

What & HowThe Big Picture

Examining Literacy Narratives1. What is a Literacy Narrative?  Come up with a specific definition as a group.

2. What elements are specific to this genre?  Be specific!3. Answer the following questions based on Write or Wrong Identity:

• What is the PURPOSE of the essay? • Who is the AUDIENCE?  How do you know? • What is the author's STANCE?  How do you know? • Are there specific elements of MEDIUM or DESIGN that the author

had to address? • How did the author tailor this essay to the Literacy Narrative

genre? • How did the author use description? Pay attention to the senses

here! (see page 45)• How did the author use key people? (see page 45)• Did the author use dialogue?  If so, what was the purpose and

what did it add to the narrative?  If not, why not?  (see page 46)• How did the author answer the "what happened" question?  (see

page 46)• What is the significance of the story? (see page 46)• What organizational structure did the author use? (see pages 46-

47)

What is the Literacy Narrative Essay?

Identify Your Literacy

Share

Your

Story

Explain the Significance

The Literacy Narrative

The Details• This project asks you to share one major event in your development of a

literacy in a detailed and engaging way.  Remember that, for our purposes, literacy can encompass many things - but it is something at which you have a certain skill.   

• While this project asks you to share your story, you must also reflect on the importance of the event to your current ability in the area you discuss.  By doing so, you will be learning more about genre and practicing different modes of composition, which are essential to our course.  Additionally, you will be practicing writing rhetorically with a specific purpose and audience in mind.

• You MUST choose a literacy that will cross over to your first speech in Ms. Reiser's class - so you must focus on a literacy that has something you can demonstrate to the class.  For example, if you write about baking as a literacy and focus on the impact it has had on your life, you may choose to show the class how to frost cookies. 

The Purpose: A big, glorious tale

To Inform•Yourself•Your audience

To Identify•Your own literacies and their significance

To Explore & Show

•The reasons it matters•How it works

Parts of the PaperRequired Elements

The DetailsLength •4-5 double spaced pages

Format •Name and page # on each page

Submission •Due to Canvas by 11:59pm on Monday, January 25th

Grading •Rubric is on Canvas

Key Features

Fantastic & Compelling Introduction

Sets up a well-told story as a situation that needs

to be resolved

Body Paragraphs

Use vivid detail to bring the narrative to life (sight,

sounds, smell, etc)

Conclusion

Relays an indication of the narrative’s significance and gives a resolution

The ProcessChoose a Literacy

Brainstorm

Define the rhetorical situation

Consider elements of this genre

Choose an organizational

structureWrite a draft

Complete a peer review

Revise and edit

Turn in final draft

Due Dates1/13:       Introduction to paper, brainstorming

1/19:       Rhetorical situation and elements due at the beginning of class

1/20:       Outline due at the beginning of class

1/22:       First draft due at beginning of class - peer review workshop

1/25:       We will be revising and editing in class - final draft due on Canvas at 11:59pm. 

So How Do You Start?

Step 1: Brainstorm!• What are some ways to brainstorm?

• What is it that you are brainstorming?

Homework• Homework:

1. Read the entire prompt & rubric on Canvas

2. Brainstorm a list of your own literacies, and come up with at least three different ways you could demonstrate this literacy.  Bring this to class

tomorrow!  You’ll be actively working on writing your paper.