Instructor: Jennafer Alexander
English 1100: First-Year Composition
Fall 2015
Unit 3: Literacy Narrative Project

Part 1: The Literacy Narrative Essay (20% of final grade)
Background:	
For your final major writing assignment, you will explore the nature of literacy in your own personal history.  

As we’ve discussed in class, literacy is a difficult word to define. In Language and Literacy: Studying Discourse in Communities and Classrooms, Eleanor Kutz tells us that “literacy involves not just reading and writing but all the ways of using language and of interpreting texts and the world” (249). As we move from home, to school, to work, or to the gym, we modify the language we use for each environment, illustrating the ways in which our literacies are shaped by particular contexts. As Kutz writes, “[o]ur literacies are acquired within particular contexts and they are shaped by those contexts” (249). We may flow easily from one literacy to the next as we move between contexts.  We may writing in various forms or genres, from essay writing to texting to reading newspapers and blogs.  Or we may experience friction among the different identities that are created by the various literacies we use.  

Where do these threads of literacy intersect?  How do these intersections reflect our personal, cultural and academic identities? And how does our definition of “literacy” affect what language practices we value? Consider these questions as you think about what literacy means in your own life.

Brainstorming, Research, and Reflection:
In a 4-5 page essay, your goal is to construct a complex, engaging argument about the nature of literacy, the roles of literacy in your life as well as in the lives of those around you, and/or the ideal role of literacy education in our society.  In constructing your argument, you should draw evidence from at least two specific sources: 
1.	Your personal experiences with literacy: your motivations for acquiring the specific literacy skills you’ve learned, the ways they’ve influenced your identity, the ways they’ve made you feel empowered, the ways they’ve restricted your access to power, etc.

2.	At least two of the readings from the course so far. 
Many of the texts we’ve read this semester have examined the same literacy-related issues that this assignment asks you to investigate, so by now you have many options.  As always, you may use these texts to challenge, affirm, critique, and/or develop your reflection.

Part 2: Presentation (5% of final grade)
	The purpose of the presentation is to share an artifact, story, or text from your personal history with the class.  Your objective is to explain the significance of the item in a way that captures our attention.  If you so choose to do so, you may present the information in a visual way.  That is, you can prepare a PowerPoint presentation, bring posters, or perform a rap.  Be creative.  This is very informal and should last about 5 minutes.

The Writing Calendar:
Tuesday, December 1: draft one due (bring two copies).
Thursday, December 3: draft two due (bring two copies).
Tuesday, December 8 – Thursday, December 10: Presentations
Finals Week: Portfolio 3 due (with the final draft of the Critical Literacy Narrative and the Final Reflection).

Essay Rubric
(Subject to change as announced and posted.)
Structure/Organization:
•	Follows the prompt, uses an approved topic
•	Includes a definition of “literacy” as it relates to the author’s story
•	Focuses on 1-2 events or influences
•	Includes a well-written thesis that represents the essay in its entirety
•	Introduction is attention-getting
•	Introduces the sources by providing relevant background information (author, title)
•	Brief summaries of the outside sources to help the reader(s) understand the issues
•	Clear organization with well-structured paragraphs (MEAL Plan)
•	Utilizes effective transitions between main ideas and paragraphs (flows well)
•	Thoughtful, appropriate, and logical sequence/plot with appropriate paragraphing
•	Resolution/conclusion

Development/Detail:
•	Analysis/reflection explores the relationship between the event and your current literary self
•	Analysis demonstrates depth of thought, critical thinking skills, and creativity
•	Descriptive, vivid, and sensory language
•	Shows, doesn’t (just) tell
•	Figurative language, including metaphors or similes, to describe the experience
•	Developed characters
•	Voice: maintains a consistent and life-like voice
•	Dialogue: brings characters’ voices to life
•	Quotations are smoothly worked into paragraph, not dropped in
•	Quotations and other examples are fully explained in connection to thesis
•	Appropriate to the audience
•	Demonstrates maturity and professionalism
•	Revision – makes substantial changes from draft to draft, not just sentence-level changes

Polish:
•	Clarity
•	Grammar and mechanics
•	Active verbs
•	Sentence structure and variety
•	Punctuation
•	Works-Cited page in MLA format
Presentation Rubric
•	Reflects Content of Paper – You present the main ideas of your paper and research.  The information should be thorough, organized, and accurate.
•	Creativity – You present the information in an interesting, imaginative and engaging way.