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Planning

Lesson Materials: 

Powerpoints: 1. Narrative writing & essay prompt; 2. Rhetoric and the Rhetorical Situation

Worksheets: 1. Narrative brainstorm; 2. Rhetorical situation

Handouts: 1. Rhetoric and the Rhetorical Situation; 2. How to Read Rhetorically; 3. Reading Strategies; 4. Narrative writing basics

Readings/Videos: 1. Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue”; 2. Safwat Saleem’s “Why I Keep Speaking Up…”; 3. “What is narrative writing?” 4. James Baldwin’s “If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What is?” 5. Sherman Alexie’s, “The Joys of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me“; 6. Jamila Lyiscott’s, “3 Ways to Speak English“

Optional Resources for Review: 1. The Power of Personal Narrative; 2. How to Write Descriptively (this is about fiction, but it applies to creative nonfiction as well)

Lesson Objectives: 1) Introduce the Literacy Narrative assignment; 2) Articulate why a story matters; 3) Understand the features of a strong narrative; 4) Place events in an appropriate sequence; 5) Select what details to include and present them vividly; 6) Articulate how a medium shapes storytelling

Connection to Major Paper/Project: Activities focus on articulating a clear purpose for the literacy narrative and why it matters. This raises your awareness of using vivid language to show and not tell. Also, you will get to practice describing a character in detail as part of a story.

Connection to Course Goals: You will learn about what shapes the genre of storytelling. You will practice writing as a process by preparing for writing your own story through a wide range of activities demonstrating the various aspects of writing a good story.

Activities, Day 1:

Review homework assignments:

—Review our findings after we’ve Googled ourselves! Connecting back to: Establishing your (Academic) Digital Identity.

—Open discussion on Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue.”

1. Review:  Discuss the characteristics of the narrative genre.

2. Introduce the Assignment: Read parts of the assignment sheet and pause after each part to take note of any questions or observations. Make sure you understand assignment expectations and what you must do to complete the project. Essential elements unique to this written discourse of narrative include the importance of expressing a clear point of view, purpose, and significance of the story. What happened and who was involved? Use “Showing” instead of “telling” and use vivid detail to describe settings and characters, consistently using first-person point of view when the story is about you.

3. Review the following handouts & basics of rhetoric.

4. Brainstorm: You will complete the narrative brainstorm to start thinking about specific important moments in your literacy history.

Homework, to be completed before next class: 

—Complete language and literacy narrative brainstorm.

—Complete a rhetorical situation worksheet for Tan’s narrative and bring a copy to class. Note: you may not know the answers, that’s OK. Make an attempt.

Activities, Day 2:

Review homework assignments:

—Review narrative brainstorm worksheets.

—Group review of “Mother Tongue” rhetorical situation worksheet. What details stand out to you?

  1. Watch Safwat Saleem’s TEDTalk & complete a rhetorical situation worksheet for his video as a group.
  2. Take notes: As you’re watching his video, I want you to observe the details he gives. What stands out to you the most? Include dialogue, colors, movement, clothes, emotions, etc. Note his use of adjectives, strong verbs, and anecdotes.

Homework, to be completed before next class:

—Using your brainstorm, pick one moment and develop it into a one-page snapshot of your narrative essay (about 300 words). What moments really stand out to you? Be prepared to share it in your group.

—Read Sherman Alexie’s, “The Joys of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me” and complete a rhetorical situation worksheet for his piece.

By Sunday at 11:59pm, turn in the following to Week 2 assignment dropbox on Blackboard.

+”Mother Tongue” rhetorical situation worksheet
+Language and literacy narrative brainstorm
+One-page snapshot of your language and literacy narrative
+”The Joys of Reading and Writing” rhetorical situation worksheet

Activities, Day 3:

Review homework assignments:

—In groups, discuss the one-page snapshots of your narrative essay. Share what moments you really wanted your readers to “see” not read.

—Review Alexie’s narrative & rhetorical situation.

  1. Show, Don’t Tell: In this Google Doc, we will practice turning “telling” sentences into “showing sentences.”
  2. Practice: To practice detailed description, you will consider your own narrative essay brainstorm. What moments really stand out? Pick one of the moments on the worksheet and spend 10 minutes writing details you might include.
  3. Watch Jamila Lyiscott’s TEDTalk. Review rhetorical situation and discuss narrative elements of her work. What is her message?
  4. Q&A for language narrative. What questions linger?

Homework, to be completed before next class:

—Read Richard Straub’s essay on peer review, “Responding — Really Responding — to Other Students’ Writing.”
Consider what Straub recommends as best practices for peer reviewing. What surprised you? Be prepared to share one technique that he suggests that you will use in your own peer review.

—Pick one student narrative to read. Annotate the files, highlight the descriptive parts. Consider what feedback you might give that student. Be ready to discuss your strategies for peer reviewing in the next class.