In-Class Lab - Literacy Narrative

1. Visual Description: “She was unable to shut the door against the brown rushing water. Horrified, she tried not to panic. Seeking higher ground, she climbed on top of her dining room table. It, like most of her furniture, had been handed down from her grandparents. The table was bulky and heavy; normally, it took three men to move it.” (paragraph 7, page 129/130)
2. Dialog: “I told them. however, that when I tried to confirm the rumor with the many recruiters who rang my cell phone, they’d say the only sure way to avoid another call-up was to join their unit, because they have non-deployable slots available well suited for someone like me, and would I like to join them?” (paragraph 10, page 119)
3. Sensory Descriptions: “Entering the large VFW hall, we were struck by the chemical odor of a cleaning solution so strong that it seemed toxic. The hall had no windows; only fluorescent lighting illuminated the large. Coming from the hot, humid weather outdoors, we found the inside uncomfortably cold from air conditionings. The cackle of television set was the only sound.” (paragraph 2, page 128)
4. Possible Topics:
1. I could write about the first ‘research paper’ I ever wrote. which was about my family tree. I could talk about the process (interviewing family. drafts on drafts on drafts.)
2. I could write about how/why I journal.
3. I could write about how/why I write poetry. I could write about fear of sharing artistry with others. Delve into that issue.
5. Purpose: I’d like to tell this story because I think it would be good for me to think back to that time of my life. It involved learning a lot about my family and its history which is interesting and I think would appeal to my fellow classmates. I can explore my past learning this way as well.
6. Audience: I think my audience will be receptive to this narrative. I won’t have to do that much extra explaining to them because it’s a pretty straight-forward idea. I’m willing to share everything with my audience. Ha ha.
7. Stance: I want to project a relatively neutral tone, I guess. Descriptive tone. I want the audience to know what my process was when I wrote the research paper. I wish to be sincere and serious, maybe a slight amount of humor. I want my readers to see me as a friendly, but studious homie who is dedicated to her family.
8. Media/Design: My narrative will be shared on paper. It will be written in size 12 font, Times New Roman.
9. Places QUESTIONS 9-13
1. My house
1. The walls are white. It’s kind of messy. Mail lies on the table. Coffee is being made. It’s a cozy setting and I’m sitting at the dining table, calling up relatives. I have note cards with questions on them for each person. I hear the coffee pot bubbling. I smell the carnitas that my dad is making in a CrockPot. Yum. I am content, but also nervous because I am calling up my elders. I don’t wanna come off rude, but they’re kind of old and I have trouble hearing them sometimes.
2. My school
1. My teacher helps up with the assignment day by day, week by week. We work diligently some days and other days we’re just goofing around. I hear the chatter of other kids as they go about their work day. I smell the lavender perfume of my teacher as she sits across from me, reviewing my first draft. I’m happy because I think I did well on the draft.
3. The library
1. It’s a quiet setting. There are tables strewn around the various rooms. Another cozy setting. I’m at one of the computers and I’m writing at a vicious pace because I’m in a zone. I hear the quiet shuffle of feet as people pass by me. I hear the clack of the keys on the keyboard as I write with a newfound vigor. I really like this assignment.
14. Describing People:
1. Mom: She smells like mom. Her face is friendly. She’s plump, and her face is really cheery.
2. Dad: He smells like tobacco pipe. It’s a comforting smell. His face reminds me of my dog, Paco. Which is not a bad thing.
3. Candice: She smells like chlorine because she’s swims. She walks with near perfect posture. She has olive skin and dark brown eyes. She’s a bitch. I love her.
4. Samantha: She’s white. The  whitest, up there with my brother, Marvin. She’s got hazel eyes and likes to cause trouble.
5. Sidney: He’s got hazel eyes as well.
15. I’ll look at the questions I asked my relatives and write them down in the narrative.
16. I wrote a family tree research paper. It took me over 6 months to do. I pondered. I laughed. I questioned. I learned. I wrote passionately. Sometimes hurriedly if I had to make a deadline.
17. The significance of this paper is that it’s the first serious research paper I ever conducted. It was with this paper that I really learned about all the correct ways to write. All the formalities. I also learned a lot about my family. My grandparents were really proud of me here which meant a lot to me as well. I think this paper helped to bring my family closer at a young age. (Because of interviews and questions… a 6 month process, if not more.)