We are what we say and do. The way we speak and are spoken to help shape us into the people we become. Through words and other actions, we build ourselves in a world that is building us. That world addresses us to produce the different identities we carry forward in life. —Ira Shor

 As people tell literacy stories, they also formulate their own sense of self; with each telling, this self changes slightly according to a constellation of social and cultural factors, personal aspirations and understandings, the audiences being addressed, and the rhetorical circumstances of the telling itself, among many other factors. —Cynthia Selfe

ASSIGNMENT DUE ________________

You’re asked in this assignment to zoom into a particular moment from your life. What moments stand out to you when it comes to how you use language and literacy? Can you recall any family, cultural, or social events related to reading or writing that you found enlightening, encouraging, awkward, challenging, or unjust? A key language or literacy moment when positive or negative emotions soared, where you struggled or triumphed? An object or artifact that serves as a memory of a place, activity, or person connected to your language and literacy development? The moment you write about forms the basis of your literacy narrative, so it should be a subject matter that you are comfortable sharing. Just as important as the moment you select, however, are the reflections you include in your narrative or cover letter to help readers make sense of the moment’s significance and implications. You’ll also want to carefully consider your tone and language choices. Carefully craft and personalize the delivery of your written and spoken narratives as you see fit. You’re welcome to draw on your “native,” “home,” or “other” languages, literacies, and ways of being as you so choose.

Rubric: Written Literacy Narrative (WLN)

Your written narrative should be 2.5-3-pages and should contain

1. a carefully crafted and revised story of a specific moment, event, or experience;
2. vivid details that draw your readers into the scene;
3. (OPTIONAL) materials and media to support your narrative, such as pictures of artifacts, images, links, video clips, quotes, sound bites, etc.
4. your interpretations of the larger social significance of the event chosen. (After all, our individual narratives reflect larger trends in society, history, where you grew up, and identities like gender, race, culture, linguistic background, and ability. (Your interpretations may be explicitly included in your narrative or implied. But if left implied, be sure to be explicit about these connections in your Foot Notes.

Spoken Language and Literacy Narrative (SLLN)

You will present some version of your language and literacy narrative to the class. The purpose is for you to practice getting comfortable speaking to a group and for everyone to get to know each other a little better. The presentation can take one of many forms but should be no longer than 3-5 minutes. You can read your favorite lines from your written narrative and explain the significance; or, you might decide to write an entirely new narrative, reenact a moment from your literacy past, or read lyrics that you or someone else wrote that captures something about your literacy identity.

You may add multimodal aide(s) if you like (photos, objects, text, powerpoint, music, etc) if you believe it could make you feel more comfortable during your presentation, but it is not required. If you narrative is rich with information then aides are not necessary.

Remember who your audience is (your classmates and instructors) and tailor your presentation to fit the audience and context of the assignment.

Your SLLN can be delivered “live” in class or you can choose to show a pre-recorded video (just please email video to your instructor 24 hours in advance of class).

PEER REVIEWS:

You will be peer reviewing your classmates assignments. I will assign you into groups of 3. You will then review your group mates work and write your clear notes and suggestions on the comment boxes under your group mates FIRST DRAFT on Black Board. (Please remember to give helpful suggestions and be respectful when reviewing your group mates work)

Therefore: You will be reviewing 2 narratives. (At least 1 paragraph each)

DUE: 2 days after the submission of the first paragraph on BB;

PLEASE LET ME KNOW BY FRIDAY _______ IF YOU ARE DECIDING TO PRESENT ‘LIVE’ OR BY SUBMITTING A VIDEO TO ME, SO WE CAN PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

***

WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE NEAR FUTURE:

Due dates:

• A first full draft of your WLLN is due for peer review on BB on Thursday, September 12th by 11:59pm. 
• 2 Peer Reviews under the comments on BB on Saturday, September 14th, by 11:59
• A first full draft of your SLLN essay is due for peer review on BB on Monday, September 16th by 11:59pm.
• The final draft of the SLLN is due on Wednesday, September 18th by 11:59pm.
• The final draft of the WLLN is due on Friday, September 20th.

Assessment Rubric for the Language & Literacy Narrative Assignment

1. Appropriate Focus and Rhetorical Effectiveness of the Language and Literacy Narrative. How effectively does the language and literacy narrative provide 1-2 concrete examples and specific details of the writer’s language/literacy experiences? How effectively does the language and literacy narrative attend to description to appeal to audiences?

2. Explicit Commentary on Significance and Implications. How effectively does the narrative highlight some central idea about a larger social significance? That is, how well does the narrative implicitly or explicitly comment on the larger implications of the narrative, signaling connections to national trends or to the writer’s life, family, generation, gender, race, culture, linguistic background, ability, and/or geographic location?

3. Appropriate Focus and Rhetorical Effectiveness of the Spoken Language and Literacy Narrative. How effectively does the SLLN presentation draw audiences into the writer’s language/literacy experiences? How effectively are the 3 minutes utilized?

4. General Requirements. Were all requirements for length and due date met?

5. Use of Multimedia. (If using Multimedia) How is this media affective for my presentation and is it a clear representation of my narrative? How is this integrated into my WLLN and SLLN? Is the media appropriate?

Just a Note:

Remember this is your first assignment, have fun with it. Do not worry much about grammar (although it is important) I want you to have fun with this assignment, find your voice and set us in the scene. Make sure it is something you feel comfortable with sharing. 

Drink some coffee, play some jazz and get Creative! 

HAVE FUN! 🙂 

-K.