English 106: Writing Your Way Into Purdue

Hummel Spring 2015 1

Paper #1: Literacy Narrative How did you get here?

In order to stake your claim as a Purdue University student, it is important to consider the experiences and challenges youve faced that have led you up to this point. Recall that literacy refers to knowing the particular language and the practices of a community or skill, such as

athleticism, musical ability, or digital skills. In your Literacy Narrative, you will consider the

question How did you get here? to think about a particular skill or characteristic that has influenced you over a period of time and has helped shape you into the person you are today.

Purpose: You are writing this Literacy Narrative not only to entertain your audience with a good story, but also to investigate and learn about the development of your particular literacy

over a specific period of time. This assignment will allow you to (1) master the narrative genre,

(2) consider particular language choices based on your intended audience, and (3) help you to

establish your voice and style as a writer and as a member of the Purdue campus community.

Goals: Use your skills of description and narration to pull your readers into your story with specific, vivid details. Remember our discussion of show, dont tellmake your experiences come to life with your anecdotes and with dialogue or specific quotes throughout your essay.

Be sure you convey the significance of your story. This will make your readers care about what

you are saying. Keep these questions in mind as you write.

What is your purpose for writing this narrative?

Why should your readers care?

Is there a larger context in which you can situate your narrative? If so, what is it?

What have you learned or discovered as a result of developing this literacy?

Length: Whatever it takes to tell the story, but it should be at least 1,000 words. This should equate to 3-4 full pages, double-spaced.

Format: MLA style for the essay. Follow this MLA checklist to ensure proper formatting on your first major paper.

Double-spaced 1-inch margins Standard serif font (Times New Roman or Cambria) in 11- or 12-point Proper heading (double-spaced) for your essay in the upper left corner of the first page:

Your Name

Ms. Hummel

ENGL 10600-716

Date Draft is Due

Page numbers should appear in the upper right of each page with your last name (in the header). Example: Hummel 3.

English 106: Writing Your Way Into Purdue

Hummel Spring 2015 2

Project Packetdue Friday, 2/13 *All materials must be turned in as hard copies WITH a binder clip or paper clip*

Planning (any brainstorming or outlining)

Drafts 1 and 2

Peer Review (CY forms and electronic comments)

20 points

(each component is worth 5 points)

Final Draft 90 points

Cover Memo 10 points

Due Dates Draft 1 Submit via e-mail Sunday, 2/1 By midnight Draft 2 Electronic Copy

(e-mail it or bring on

flashdrive)

Friday, 2/6 In class

Final Draft and

Cover Memo

Hard Copy Friday, 2/13 In class

Cover Memo Your Cover Memo on the project is a separate assignment, and it should be about 500 words, or

1-2 pages. The Cover Memo will be included on top of the final draft of your Literacy Narrative,

and I will likely read this before reading your paper. Think of this component as a letter to your

reader explaining what you tried to accomplish in your essay. Your Cover Memo must address

the following topics, in no particular order:

A description of your writing process throughout this paper (including what you thought of the feedback you received and how you responded to it)

An evaluation of how well your assignment meets the projects purpose and goals (from the first page of this assignment sheet)

An explanation of why you chose your topic A description of your narratives significance A description of challenges experienced while writing the paper, or parts about the paper

you enjoyed writing

An indication of what grade you feel you deserve on this project (after consulting the rubric)

The Cover Memo is due on the same day as the Final Draft, and is worth 10 out of 120 points.

The Literacy Narrative Assignment is worth 120 out of 1000 points.