English 106: Writing Your Way Into Purdue

Hummel Spring 2015

Paper #1: Literacy Narrative

How did you get here?
In order to stake your claim as a Purdue University student, it is important to consider the
experiences and challenges youve faced that have led you up to this point. Recall that literacy
refers to knowing the particular language and the practices of a community or skill, such as
athleticism, musical ability, or digital skills. In your Literacy Narrative, you will consider the
question How did you get here? to think about a particular skill or characteristic that has
influenced you over a period of time and has helped shape you into the person you are today.

Purpose : You are writing this Literacy Narrative not only to entertain your audience with a
good story, but also to investigate and learn about the development of your particular literacy
over a specific period of time. This assignment will allow you to (1) master the narrative genre,
(2) consider particular language choices based on your intended audience, and (3) help you to
establish your voice and style as a writer and as a member of the Purdue campus community.

Goals: Use your skills of description and narration to pull your readers into your story with
specific, vivid details. Remember our discussion of show, dont tellmake your experiences
come to life with your anecdotes and with dialogue or specific quotes throughout your essay.
Be sure you convey the significance of your story. This will make your readers care about what
you are saying. Keep these questions in mind as you write.
What is your purpose for writing this narrative?
Why should your readers care?
Is there a larger context in which you can situate your narrative? If so, what is it?
What have you learned or discovered as a result of developing this literacy?

Length : Whatever it takes to tell the story, but it should be at least 1,000 words. This should
equate to 3-4 full pages, double-spaced.

Format : MLA style for the essay. Follow this MLA checklist to ensure proper formatting on
your first major paper.
Double-spaced
1-inch margins
Standard serif font (Times New Roman or Cambria) in 11- or 12-point
Proper heading (double-spaced) for your essay in the upper left corner of the first page:
Your Name
Ms. Hummel
ENGL 10600-716
Date Draft is Due
Page numbers should appear in the upper right of each page with your last name (in the
header). Example: Hummel 3.

English 106: Writing Your Way Into Purdue

Hummel Spring 2015

Project Packetdue Friday, 2/13

*All materials must be turned in as hard copies WITH a binder clip or paper clip*
20 points
Planning (any brainstorming or outlining)
(each component is worth 5 points)
Drafts 1 and 2
Peer Review (CY forms and electronic comments)
90 points
Final Draft
10 points
Cover Memo

Due Dates
Draft 1
Draft 2

Submit via e-mail

Electronic Copy

Sunday, 2/1
Friday, 2/6

By midnight
In class

Friday, 2/13

In class

(e-mail it or bring on
flashdrive)

Final Draft and

Cover Memo

Hard Copy

Cover Memo
Your Cover Memo on the project is a separate assignment, and it should be about 500 words, or
1-2 pages. The Cover Memo will be included on top of the final draft of your Literacy Narrative,
and I will likely read this before reading your paper. Think of this component as a letter to your
reader explaining what you tried to accomplish in your essay. Your Cover Memo must address
the following topics, in no particular order:
A description of your writing process throughout this paper (including what you thought
of the feedback you received and how you responded to it)
An evaluation of how well your assignment meets the projects purpose and goals (from
the first page of this assignment sheet)
An explanation of why you chose your topic
A description of your narratives significance
A description of challenges experienced while writing the paper, or parts about the paper
you enjoyed writing
An indication of what grade you feel you deserve on this project (after consulting the
rubric)
The Cover Memo is due on the same day as the Final Draft, and is worth 10 out of 120 points.

The Literacy Narrative Assignment is worth 120 out of 1000 points.