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Sarah Dunn

ENC 1102
Leslie Walkout
23 Jan 2015

Literacy Narrative Draft


As I pondered on how to write my introduction speech for my speech class, I thought of
ways in which I could capture my audience in order to gain their attention so that I could gain
more confidence when speaking to them. When one is enticed in what you have to say and
potentially offer, they close their mouths and open their ears. I started my speech with We all
know Miley Cyrus, the girl from Hannah Montanna who currently is headed down the same path
as Amanda Bynes right? Alright well Im not here to confirm whether or not she is in fact
pregnant with Juicy Js baby, but instead Im going to lamely quote her and say that I have the
best of both worlds. This introduction seemed to really take with my classmates as well as my
speech teacher. I felt more confident continuing my speech because I knew that I had executed
my opening sentence. This confidence as well as my writing and speaking skills didnt happen
overnight however, these skills were embedded within me through years and years of schooling
in and outside of academic institutions.
Literacy is usually defined by a person being capable of reading and writing. (Brandt, 40)
However, through my recent experience in college I have learned that literacy is more
multifaceted than the basic definition it has been given. I would define literacy as the

fundamental base for intelligence. In order for one to do more than just survive in life, in order
for one to thrive, the basic foundation that must be instilled within a person is knowing how to
read and write as well as analyze the information being given to them. Anyone can take the
information they are given and retain it, however, one with intelligence and one that is literate
would be able to further analyze and decipher what the information they are being given is, as
well as ask questions to expand their understanding of the said subject. As I continued writing
my speech I also thought about ways in which I could sell myself or sound more interesting to
the class. This is ultimately a tool in which many of my literary sponsors have taught me. A
literacy sponsor, in my opinion, is someone that helps to shape the experience a person has in a
literary context, which in turn affects ones life entirely. (Brandt, 42) For me, as well as most, I
have multiple literacy sponsors who have helped to shape the path I took when it came to my
literacy journey. A literacy sponsor is not limited to only being a human, institution s serve as
literacy sponsors as well. Schools, places of religion, tutoring centers, libraries, even a prison can
sponsor a person in their literacy exploration as it did for Malcolm X. In my literacy journey I
was ultimately influenced by those influencing me, which is why I am most confident in this
subject due to skilled sponsors. The way in which I carry myself, speak, interact with others, as
well as the way in which I perceive the world has all initially been molded by the people and
resources I was provided with.
I have always viewed the ability to read, write, and draw informative conclusions as my
most powerful weapon in life. Nothing is handed in life, especially to a female, and as a person
of color. This is ultimately why I view this as my freedom in obtaining the justice I seek for
women as well as black people. I find myself interested in various social issues throughout
America as well as the world. Being literate has allowed me to take in the world around me and

make observations, conclusions, and most importantly solutions. I seek change and I seek it now,
so I plan on furthering my education so that I can expand my knowledge and make connections
with other people in my areas of interest in order to carry out my plan of action. Ive had strong
female influences throughout my life that have helped to dictate the subjects I tend to take the
most interest in. My grandmother is a writer whose written children books that were prominent
within my childhood, as well as a book of poems, a book of short stories, and a book that she is
currently working on dedicated to the newest member of my family, my cousin Alejandro. She
also was a professor at Barry University where she taught commercial writing as well as
fictional. Recently she taught a semester at Broward College in writing. Although all of her
literacy career hasnt affected me or really influenced me all that much, she has. Based upon the
conversations and reading material she provided me with as a child, my grandmother instilled in
me a certain kind of awareness about society and the way in which it functions. I remember
having conversations about things well advanced from the things I was reading and learning in
class. I honestly couldnt be more grateful for what were once complex conversations because
they have helped in more ways than one reading off of a paper.
Many times Ive found the institutional sponsors I had to only provide the bare minimum
of what is considered an education. There is a certain quota that must be followed, however, I
feel as though there is a major lack of concern for the upcoming generations including my own
in terms of expanding their knowledge as well as participating in politics. This comes from the
lack of teaching and preparation from institutional sponsors to provide students with the skills to
make decisions outside of just the academic discourse taught in schools. This is not to say that
schools don't provide students with the proper tools needed to do well I'm life, however, the
school I attended was ran by the government. I find that government-ran schools lack the funds

needed to give students all of the materials needed for learning. I am very grateful to have gotten
an education for practically free, but because my education was pretty much free I would have
to say that it has hindered me as well. I have observed that certain people that attend private
schools are more socially and academically adept due to the resources they are provided with.
Money ultimately determines a persons access or lack of access to their surrounding resources
and environment. Since my school didn't have sufficient funds to provide certain tools and
materials, the students and schools suffered at the governments expense. I also find that there is
more competition and more of a reputation to withhold in a privately owned academic
institution. This helps to motivate the school and students to excel academically as well as within
their schools clubs and organizations. I cannot blame my laziness and lack of motivation entirely
on an institution though. I am to blame as well, I am now more aware of where I have failed as a
literacy member in society. Fortunately, because I am aware of the things I need to change I am
now able to take advantages of the free resources provided to me as well as connections I can
make by networking and being more confident.
Conclusively, I have had an adventurous literacy journey in which I plan on continuing
long after university. Literacy to me is an empowering tool that can be used in every aspect of
my life. I plan on using literacy to make connections within my career as well as in life. Ive had
a collection of great literacy sponsors in my life as well as some that I have found to hinder my
literacy journey. However, with the skills I acquired throughout my life, I think I can only grow
and expand from my past literacy experiences as well as my future ones. I plan on taking your
class on social change as well as other classes related to my major so that I can improve on being
more politically and socially aware.

Works Cited Page


Brandt, Deborah. "Sponsors of Literacy." College Composition and Communication. Vol. 49, No.
2. (May, 1998). Pg. 165-185

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