Running head: LITERACY NARRATIVE

Literacy Narrative
Rebecca Ramos
University of Texas at El Paso
RWS 1301
September 18, 2015
Paul LaPrade

LITERACY NARRTIVE

2
Literacy Narrative

As a student writing plays an essential role in my educational career; whether I am producing an

essay (like I am write now), taking notes, or creating a project writing is what makes everything
go round. This conversation takes place with my future self in my very own private journal, and
it provides me with a variety of different perspectives to view how outside sources (teachers,
family, etc.) have influenced changes in my writing and its process over the years. The
conversation will also provide insight on various tools, and strategies I can use to not only
improve my writing, but my writing process.
How my writing developed
Writing has not always been one of my fortes, but it is something I have always enjoyed
doing (whether I may be good at it or not). As a child I would immerse myself in childrens
books, especially Disney books. My mother always made sure I had reading material around our
home, sometimes she would spontaneously take me to the public library to check out books, and
at nights if I was not in the mood to read she would read to me. In all honesty I do not remember
the first thing I wrote, however I do recall the reason I started writing. At a young age I realized
that everything I read had its own unique story line which made it enjoyable to read; therefore I
began journaling about my life (similar to how I am now), I wanted my life to have its own
unique story so others could read about it and have fun doing it.
Once I began school I quickly realized that I would have to alter the way I wrote, my
journaling was not going to cut it anymore. Between elementary and junior high I was taught
how to follow grammatical rules, how to form fictional and non-fictional essays with the use of
bubble maps, and how to revise my work. When I entered high school a whole other level of
writing was introduced, I was expected to know all grammatical rules, how to revise my work

LITERACY NARRTIVE

properly, and write essays that would consists of a clear thesis, idea, conclusion, and provide
well rounded supporting details. It was in high school when I became self-conscious about my
writing, I would constantly revise my essays in fear of not meeting my teachers expectations. At
times when I revised my essay I would get a second or third opinion on how I could better
develop my paper. It took me till senior year to learn I do not need to fear meeting my teachers
expectations because writing is a never ending learning process and it is constantly adapting.
Now that I am attending UTEP I understand that I have entered into a higher level of
writing, and quite frankly I am a bit nervous. I have always felt as an underdeveloped writer and
now I have to conquer on the new task of writing to address various audiences, as it is I am
hoping this narrative comes out descent. I still have much to learn but what does make me feel
better is that each of my classmates has their own writing style, therefore we can feed off of each
other and improve together as a class.
How I Write
When it comes to my writing process I find it to be rather simple and can possibly use
some improvement. The first step I take when conducting my writing process is I begin to
analyze my subject, find out who my target audience is, and I begin to develop a possible list of
ideas I could write about. For example, when it came to forming my narrative I familiarized
myself with various types of literacy narratives and analyzed how they were written, then I chose
who I wanted my target audience to be (my future self), lastly I listed various ideas that have
affected my writing.
Once I have listed my ideas I choose a topic that interests me and based on the amount of
information I could possibly obtain on it. For my narrative I chose to write about how outside
sources have influenced changes in my writing, my reasoning behind this is because I was able

LITERACY NARRTIVE

to recall more information on this topic than any other. The third step in my process pertains to
gathering information on my topic. In this case my narrative did not require any research, but if I
was writing a paper on womens rights in the workforce I would go to the library and look up the
necessary material required to form my assignment.
Once I have gathered my information the next step is to form an outline for my paper,
which leads me to producing my first draft. Usually when it comes to my first draft I write down
all of my thoughts, but I tend to struggle putting my words and thoughts on paper. For example, I
can relate to Malcolm X (1965), I became increasingly frustrated at not being able to express
what I wanted to convey in letters that I wrote, especially those to Mr. Elijah Muhammad
(p.120). When it comes to writing I feel as if my points would come across more clearly if they
were not written on paper and people could actually experience my emotions.
Despite how I may struggle writing my first draft I always get through it. With that being
said my next step is to go through my paper and revise it. Usually when it comes to revising my
first draft I print out multiple copies, the reasoning behind this is because I do not solely trust
myself on revising my paper. In my opinion my individual revision process is best described by
Sommers (1980), The students place a symbolic importance on their selection and rejection of
words as the determiners of success or failure for their compositions (p.581). For years
grammatical rules, and proper phrasing has been stressed by my teachers, therefore I thought all
that mattered was making sure all surface errors we eliminated before submitting my assignment.
The extra first drafts I print out are what I use for peer or teacher reviews therefore I can assure
myself that not only will I improve surface errors, but I can improve my ideas and supporting
details over all. Once all revisions have been made I type up my final draft and submit my
assignment.

LITERACY NARRTIVE

As I reflect on my writing process and even this narrative I know I have room for much
needed improvement, but I am not worried I am actually excited. I am aware that I struggle with
writing but that does not lessen the joy I receive from it. Rebecca if you are reading this I hope
that you have improved not only in your writing, but developing confidence in what your words
say writing is a never ending learning process and no one is perfect at it.

LITERACY NARRTIVE

6
References

X, M. (1965). Learning to Read. In E. Wardle & D. Downs (Eds.), Writing about writing: A
college reader (pp. 119-127). Boston, NY: Burton.
Sommers, N. (1980). Revision Strategies of Student Writers and Experienced Adult Writers. In
E. Wardle & D. Downs (Eds.), Writing about writing: A college reader (pp. 576-589).
Boston, NY: Burton.