Assingments % - My Journey with Reading and Writing: A Personal Literacy Narrative

Compose a 600-800 word, 5-paragraph essay on the following topic:
“Tell a story about your personal literacy narrative: your early experiences with reading and writing that have shaped your thoughts and feelings about both.”
Grading
Rough Draft
(including Story Board): 20% Essay Rough Drafts
Final Draft: : 50% Essays Final Drafts
Questions to address:
Who influenced you to read, or who had a negative influence on your progress as a reader and a writer?
What is your personal experience with literacy (reading and writing)?
What are specific instances that stand out in your memory about reading and writing?
To conclude, what would you change about your literacy narrative?
Guidelines
12-pt., Times New Roman font
Double-spaced
Top left of the first page
Name
Dr. Lawson
ENG 113
Due date of the FINAL DRAFT written as day, month, year (21 September 2015)
Title (centered): Literacy Narrative Essay

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your Literacy Narrative

1. Understanding the Assignment

Purpose: This essay is an opportunity for you to reflect on your personal experiences with reading and writing and how they have shaped your perspective. It’s important to explore both the positive and negative influences on your literacy development.
Scope: You need to focus on your journey with literacy—who helped or hindered your reading and writing, and how these experiences shaped your thoughts and feelings about literacy today. The narrative should include key moments that stand out and a reflection on what you would change.

2. Title and Formatting

Title: Your title should be centered on the page. A potential title could be something like “My Journey with Words” or “The Road to Becoming a Reader and Writer.”
Formatting: Use 12-pt Times New Roman font, double-spaced text. Follow all formatting requirements, such as your name, instructor’s name, class, and due date in the top left corner of the first page.

3. Introduction: Setting the Stage

Begin by introducing the concept of your literacy narrative. You don’t need to dive into specifics immediately, but set the stage for the reader to understand the journey you’re about to take them on.
Example: “My journey with reading and writing has been a rollercoaster of challenges and victories, shaped by moments of encouragement and discouragement from those around me. It began in my early childhood, when books and stories were gateways to new worlds, but it wasn’t always an easy road.”

4. Who Influenced You to Read or Hindered You?

Reflect on the people who have influenced your literacy development, both positively and negatively. Did a family member or teacher encourage you to read? Was there someone who discouraged you or made you feel that reading and writing were difficult?
Example: “My grandmother was a huge influence in my life, encouraging me to read aloud to her every evening. She made reading feel magical, as though each book opened a door to a new adventure. On the other hand, a teacher in elementary school criticized my writing, making me doubt my abilities for years.”

5. Your Personal Experience with Literacy (Reading and Writing)

Discuss your own experiences with both reading and writing. How did you feel about each? Did you struggle with one more than the other? What were your favorite books or assignments? Were there moments of success or failure that shaped your attitudes toward reading and writing?
Example: “Reading came easily to me at first, and I quickly became fascinated with stories about faraway places. Writing, however, was a different challenge. My early compositions were full of errors, and I didn’t always know how to express myself clearly, which made writing assignments feel overwhelming.”

6. Specific Instances That Stand Out

Focus on specific moments in your literacy development that stand out in your memory. These could be moments of achievement, challenges, or turning points. What experiences made a lasting impression on you?
Example: “I remember the first time I wrote an essay that received an ‘A’ grade. I had spent hours drafting and revising, and when the teacher returned my paper, I felt an immense sense of pride. It was in that moment that I realized the power of persistence in writing.”

7. What Would You Change About Your Literacy Narrative?

Reflect on what you might change about your own literacy journey. Would you have approached reading or writing differently if you could go back? Would you have sought help sooner? How might you have handled obstacles in a different way?
Example: “If I could change one thing, it would be to embrace my struggles with writing earlier. Instead of letting them discourage me, I would seek more help and push myself to write more often, knowing that practice was the key to improvement.”

8. Conclusion: Reflecting on Your Literacy Journey

Summarize your literacy narrative by reflecting on how you view reading and writing now, considering how your experiences have shaped your current attitudes toward these activities.
Example: “Looking back on my literacy journey, I realize that both the ups and downs have contributed to the reader and writer I am today. I have learned to embrace challenges, knowing that each experience, whether positive or negative, is an opportunity for growth.”

9. Final Draft Preparation

Ensure your essay is 5 paragraphs minimum (introduction, body, and conclusion).
Revisions: Make sure to revise your rough draft based on feedback (if any) and ensure clarity and coherence throughout the paper.
Check Formatting: Ensure you adhere to the guidelines: Times New Roman, 12 pt font, double-spaced, and the correct header and title page.