The Multimodal Language & Literacy Narrative
During Phase 1, you will study a variety of texts and ideas and practice skills like rhetorical reading, narrative writing, self-reflection, and analyzing social/political forces in writing. Among other smaller assignments, you will compose two Language & Literacy Narratives, one spoken and one written.
Note: you should have access to all readings and all assignments every class (in print or on your laptop/phone). This is because we’ll likely refer back to previous assignments/readings.
Download PDF
Date
Homework Due BEFORE Class
In-Class Topics/Goals
Week 1 — Tuesday, 8/29
- Familiarize yourself with Blackboard (BB) and our course site.
- Introductions
- Syllabus Review
- Transparent Grading
Week 1 — Thursday, 8/31
- Complete and submit to BB the “Questionnaire“
- View video: “A Guide to Annotating Texts.”
- Read “Rhetoric and Rhetorical Situations” handout.
- Read Hughe’s “Theme for English B”
- Building Community
- Rhetorical Concepts
- Annotating Readings
- Hughes’ Poem
Week 2 — Tuesday, 9/5
- Read and annotate Tan’s “Mother Tongue.”
- Complete and submit to BB a “Rhetorical Situation Worksheet” for Tan.
- Write and submit to BB a 1-page response to Tan. What parts resonate with you most? Why?
- Tan’s Rhetorical Situation
- “Charting” texts for what they do
- Introduce Phase 1 Assignment
Week 2 — Thursday, 9/7
- View video: Saleem’s “Why I Keep Speaking Up…”
- Complete and submit to BB a “Rhetorical Situation Worksheet” for Saleem.
- Complete and submit to BB the “Language and Literacy Narrative Brainstorms” worksheet.
- Saleem’s Rhetorical Situation
- View video: “My Spanish,” Lozada-Oliva
- Workshop LLN brainstorms
- Discuss the WLLN Cover Letter & SLLN Presentation
- Audience Analysis
Week 3 — Tuesday, 9/12
- Read and annotate Jordan’s “Nobody Mean More to Me Than You…”
- Complete and submit to BB a “Rhetorical Situation Worksheet” for Jordan.
- Write a 1 page snapshot of 1 meaningful moment in your language and/or literacy experiences. Print 2 copies and bring to class.
- Jordan’s Rhetorical Situation
- Practice Charting (Charting a Text Worksheet)
- Workshop snapshots (peer review)
Week 3 — Thursday, 9/14
- Read Norton’s “Writing a Literacy Narrative” (pages 28-34).
- Write and submit to BB a full draft of your Written L&L Narrative (at least 2.5 pages long). Print 2 copies and bring to class.
- Writing a L&L narrative and making larger connections
- Analyze Model Narrative
- Workshop drafts
Week 4 — Tuesday, 9/19
- Write a full draft of your Spoken L&L Narrative. Practice it a few times (ideally with a friend/classmate/family member) and revise it at least once. Be ready to practice it with peers and email yourself any files you need.
- View video: “3 Ways to speak English,” Jamila Lyiscott
- Sign up for SLLN presentation
- Assign peer review groups
- Workshop SLLNs
Week 4 —Thursday, 9/21
- Revise and submit to BB Discussion Board your WLLN based on peer feedback.
- Introduce Phase 2 Assignment
- Brainstorm ideas for Phase 2
Week 5 — Tuesday, 9/26
- Read and give feedback on two of your peers’ essays using the “Take-Home Peer Review” worksheet. Upload your worksheet to your peers’ Discussion Board post.
- SLLN Presentation Group 1
- Discuss connections
Week 5 — Thursday, 9/28
- Review your peers’ feedback. Make revisions to your Written L&L Narrative in response to that feedback.
- Work on your Cover Letter.
- SLLN Presentation Group 2
- Discuss connections
Week 5 — Friday, 9/29
- Revise and polish the final draft of your Written L&L Narrative. Then, write and paste your Cover Letter at the beginning of your document. Submit to BB.
- NO CLASS, of course