This morning in class, we will examine the literacy narrative that you read for today, “The Day Language Came into My Life,” which is the fourth chapter of Helen Keller’s autobiography The Story of My Life.
Together, Sedaris‘ essay and Keller’s chapter demonstrate two vastly different ways to present a literacy narrative. “Me Talk Pretty One Day” offers a quirky look at the challenges of learning French from a sarcastic, soul-crushing instructor. Keller’s story poignantly recounts learning to make meaning through the sign language of her teacher, Annie Sullivan, learning that certain finger positions mean “water” for those who cannot hear it, and for others, like her, who can neither see nor hear it.
Sample Student Essays
After we study Keller’s chapter, will examine two literacy narratives written in a previous semester. After you read and annotate the essays, you and two or three of your classmates will collaboratively compose a short assessment of each narrative.
In each assessement, consider whether the essay focuses on one of the following options for topics:
- A memory of a reading or writing assignment that you recall vividly
- Someone who helped you learn to read or write
- A writing-related school event that you found humorous or embarrassing
- A particular type of writing that you found (or still find) especially difficult or challenging
- A memento that represents an important moment in your development as a reader or writer
Also determine whether each essay fulfills the requirements listed below.
- A well-told story
- Vivid detail
- Some indication of the narrative’s significance
- A minimum of 600 words
- A title that offers a window into the essay
After you have composed your assessment, you will review the grade criteria and assign a letter grade to each narrative.
Literacy Narrative Grade Criteria
- An A literacy narrative complies with all assignment guidelines: It presents a well-told story, includes vivid details, and conveys the story’s significance in a way that demonstrates a depth of understanding. An A literacy narrative is also well organized and relatively free of surface errors.
- A B literacy narrative complies with all assignment guidelines but may convey the significance of the story in a superficial way, may have issues with organization, or may be flawed by surface errors.
- A C literacy narrative complies with most but not all assignment guidelines and may be flawed by issues of organization and/or surface errors.
- A D literacy narrative complies with only a few of the assignment guidelines and may also be flawed by issues of organization and/or surface errors.
- An F literacy narrative fails to comply with most or all assignment guidelines and may also be flawed by substantial issues of organization and/or surface errors.
Next Up
On Wednesday you will continue work on your own literacy narratives. At the beginning of class, I will return your rough drafts with my notes, and you will have the remainder of the class period to revise on your laptops. You will have an additional week to continue revising before posting your literacy narrative to Blackboard and to your WordPress blog. The due date is Wednesday, September 10 (before class); the hard deadline is Friday, September 12 (before class).
Jane Lucas 