Prof. LOverman Essay Paper 3: Literacy Narrative
English 098
CSUN
Rrrrough draft due: F 11/9—bring 3-4 copies, TWO FULL pages minimum . (Note: Instructor will only review rough
drafts one-on-one during an appt. you make with her)
Peer review shared with group: W 11/14 You must attach your minimum ONE page typed review to the back of each
peer’s draft.
Meet with instructor in her office at appointment time: F 11/16
Final Paper due per final draft format criteria: M 11/19
Extra Credit LRC visit w/ proof: 10 extra credit points given ONCE for attending LRC during this entire essay’s
drafting process, but you may go as many times as you need to. Must include proof of visit attached to your final draft.
John Trimbur tells us "[l]iteracy narratives offer rich descriptions of various settings in which writing occurs, the
various ways people use writing, and the various social purposes writing can serve" (30). A literacy narrative tells a
story about your personal engagement with reading and/or writing.
Writing Task:
Pick an event from your past—either positive or negative—and write an autobiographical narrative that connects
that event to your current feelings about and/or abilities in reading and/or writing. For example, I am an avid reader
which I attribute to the time I spent in the library as a young child participating in their reading competitions. (Your
literacy portfolio should give you some ideas).
Not only will you write an engaging and memorable narrative, but you also must expand the narrative’s relevance
by interviewing TWO people in your family about their literacy and connecting their experiences to your own.
Helpful Hints:
Please note that you do not have to pick either reading or writing. Often, our interactions with reading and writing are
intertwined. Also, this essay does not have to be a rousing exposition about why writing and reading are the joy of your
life if they are really the bane of your existence. Be honest. Tell a story.
1. Who was most influential in your development as a literate person? Why was it this specific person/group of
people? How did they influence you?
2. What would you consider some of the most important literate events in your life?
3. Can you recount any events in which your ability to express yourself seemed inadequate (e.g. taking an exam,
interviewing for a job, giving directions…)? What was the event? Why did you feel this way? What changes did you
make in your life to remedy the situation?
4. Do you consider your literacy skills better/worse than those of others? Whose? Why?
5. Have you ever used your literacy to judge somebody else in a negative way? How? Why? Was it a conscious
decision?
6. Do you think your literacy skills will develop/change? How? Why?
Goals:
Have a central theme in your paper.
Demonstrate your understanding of ethos (the appeal to the credibility of the speaker or writer) by effectively
utilizing ethical appeals in your paper.
Demonstrate your understanding of pathos (the appeal to emotion) by effectively utilizing pathetic appeals in your
paper.
Use your interviews as evidence and support in your essay.
Develop a title for your essay.
Format: MLA typed, double spaced, Times New Roman 12 font, 1 inch margins, left justified).
Length: 3-4 pages (without Work Cited page, with Work Cited 4-5 pages). Include Work Cited page.
