Literacy Narrative Assignment (The Norton Field Guide: Chapter 10) and Reflection (15%)

 

For this assignment, I want you to consider the relationship that literacy has to your identity. How has literacy impacted your everyday life? Keeping that in mind, it’s important to focus this essay on a specific moment, rather than an abstract or general one. Then, while referring to the essay rubric and considering the rhetorical terms we have discussed in class, you are tasked with writing a Reflection on your experience writing a Literacy Narrative essay and discussing the rhetorical choices that you made. (See description of Reflection assignments in the “Other Assignments” section of the syllabus.)

Due: Monday, September 19^th on Blackboard before class, under the Assignments tab.

Word Count: Essay- 2 pages, Reflection- 1 page (size 12 font, Times New Roman, standard margins, double-spaced, MLA style heading)

Things to keep in mind as you write your Literacy Narrative:

• A narrative is a story, often with a situation that needs to be resolved. Is there tension in the story that builds up to a conclusion?
• A story should also have an interesting title that engages the reader from the outset.
• A narrative contains vivid detail, including sensory descriptions to allow the reader to insert themselves into the story.
• A narrative will end with a significant resolution.

Use the following criteria when assessing your and your classmate’s essays. I will be using the same rubric when I grade the final drafts.

• What is your purpose for choosing this specific moment? Does it relate to a larger theme of your essay? Is there a theme? Have you provided enough background information so that the reader understands the point you are trying to make?
• Have you built a strong setting that helps the reader to envision your narrative? Have you included vivid details and descriptions that help to make the piece interesting and catch the readers attention. Have you included clear details that present the narrative in a logical way? Is there a clear structure to the narrative?
• Do you provide a closing action or resolution that reflects on the significance of the event? Does this tie into the theme of your narrative?
• Did you include an engaging title?
• Have you proofread and edited your piece for grammatical and punctuation errors?
• Does your narrative have a proper MLA heading?
• Have you submitted a 1-page Reflection along with your final draft?

 

 

 

 

Exploratory Essay Assignment (The Norton Field Guide: Chapter 12) and Reflection (20%):

For this assignment, I want you to come up with a topic of your choice that interests you, and then, after researching your topic, incorporate at least 3 reliable sources (found through your research) into your essay to help guide your discussion. Remember, this assignment asks you only to report on your claims, so let’s save the deeper analysis for the next essay. You must include a Works Cited page with your essay. Cite all sources in proper MLA format. You are also required to write a Reflection on your experience constructing this assignment and discussing your rhetorical choices.

Word Count: Essay – 2-3 pages | Reflection/Self-Assessment – 1-2 pages (size 12 font, Times New Roman, standard margins, double-spaced)

Due: Tuesday, October 17^th

Things to keep in mind as you write your Exploratory Essay:

• You must find at least three sources that are relevant to your topic. Two of these sources must be scholarly sources, and one can be a popular source.
• The goal of this essay is to inform your audience of a particular point—you do not need to devise an argument or persuade your audience of anything. Your goal is to gather information on a particular aspect of your topic so that you have a more informed opinion.

 

Use the following criteria when assessing your and your classmates’ essays. I will be using the same rubric when I grade the final drafts.

• Do you have a tightly focused topic? Have you kept your opinions out of the essay?
• Did you cite at least three sources on your subject? Did you cite properly according to MLA standards? Did you include a Works Cited page?
• Is your essay well organized and easy to follow?
• Did you define key terms or concepts?
• Did you design your essay appropriately? Are there any visual elements?
• Does your essay have an engaging title?
• Have you proofread and edited your paper for grammatical and punctuation errors?

• Have you submitted a 1-page Reflection/Self-Assessment along with your final draft?

 

 

 

 

Researched Critical Analysis Assignment: Expanding the Theme of the Exploratory Essay (The Norton Field Guide: Chapter 13) and Reflection (20%):

For this assignment, I would like for you to expand upon the topic that you introduced in your Exploratory Essay by thinking about it in a larger context and using additional sources to serve as evidence of your claims. You are asked to use at least five sources to substantiate your claims (you may rely on the sources you used in your previous essay). While the purpose of your Exploratory Essay is to introduce, explain, and explore your topic, this assignment requires deeper analysis and a concrete, specific thesis statement. This paper is an opportunity for you to formulate your own questions and be critical of your topic, and you are required to state an opinion or take a side on an issue and explain why. You are required to submit a Reflection/Self-Assessment along with your final draft, in which you comment on your experience writing this essay and discuss your rhetorical choices.

Word Count: Essay – 3-4 pages | Reflection/Self-Assessment – 1-2 pages (size 12 font, Times New Roman, standard margins, double-spaced)

Due: Tuesday, November 14^th

Things to keep in mind as you write your Critical Analysis Essay:

• In this essay, you will take the information you’ve learned through your research and argue a position. You will expand upon your Exploratory Essay topic, form an opinion on a facet of that topic, and try to persuade your audience of your position. This is your opportunity to discuss your personal opinion on your topic.
• You may want to rely on and reuse the research you did for your Exploratory Essay. In addition, please also find at least two more scholarly, peer-reviewed articles from professional journals. This means your final Works Cited page should list at least five sources.

 

Use the following criteria when assessing your and your classmates’ essays. I will be using the same rubric when I grade the final drafts.

• Do you have a clear and arguable position/stance?
• Have you included background information to provide a context for your argument?
• Have you provided evidence in support of your argument?
• Have you demonstrated, through your inclusion of facts and your tone, that you are a reliable source?
• Have you considered the positions/stances of your source material, and responded to them reasonably, even if you disagree?
• Did you cite at least five sources on your subject? Did you cite properly according to MLA standards? Did you include a Works Cited page?
• Does your essay have an engaging title?
• Have you proofread and edited your paper for grammatical and punctuation errors?

• Have you submitted a 1-2 page Reflection/Self-Assessment along with your final draft?