First
Formal Writing Assignment: Literacy Narrative
Due
date: Friday, February 14, 2014 in class
Who
are you as a reader and writer, and who and what have brought you to this
place?
Write
an autobiographical essay (1000-1100 words, double spaced in a standard font)
using the conventions of the literary narratives we have studied in this unit.
For this essay, focus on one (or a very few) turning points or most meaningful
events that have shaped who you are today as a reader and writer.
As
you shape the essay, keep in mind your rhetorical purpose in writing this piece
in this genre. Look for the theme in your experiences and analysis that will
surprise, stir, delight, or educate the reader. Shape the details of your essay
around this theme once you have discovered it.
You
should organize your essay thematically rather than a strict chronological
account. Look for the overarching theme or point that ties two or three
prominent experiences (or the present and the past) together. You will have to
be selective and choose only the most memorable experiences. Then develop each
experience, thru anecdote, rendering, story-telling, to subtly support your
overarching point. Specific examples, and specific details, are always better
than generalizations or vague summaries. Make every word count.
Do
not begin your essay with a thesis statement laying out your overall point
(though writing that thesis sentence is a useful exercise). The literary essay
as a genre depends on extensive descriptions and details to build to the point,
which is usually revealed at the end of the essay.
Course objectives and grading for this
assignment:
Rhetorical Purpose:
ñ Essay should show a clear focus and theme – “so what”
ñ Essay should match the genre features of a personal literary essay
Content:
ñ Essay should demonstrate what you have learned so far about genre
and discourse communities, as applied to this particular situation.
ñ Essay should show insight about your writing/reading practice.
ñ Essay should use narrative and description to draw in your reader
and create interest (pathos).
Structure:
ñ Essay parts should follow a logical thematic sequence that lead up
to the overall point of the essay. (“Logical” does not necessarily mean
“chronological,” but rather “intentional.”)
ñ The point should be either implied or stated at the end of the
essay, but without moralizing or over-generalizing. (If implied, it must be
reasonably clear.)
ñ Paragraph breaks must be logical and facilitate easy reading of the
essay, with appropriate transitions.
Linguistic features:
ñ Essay should show careful choice of language appropriate to your
topic and intended audience.
ñ Essay should be free of sentence-level errors (spelling, grammar,
run-on sentences or fragments, word usage).
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