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1: Narrative Essay

  • Page ID
    22561
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    • 1.1: Essay Basics
      This page emphasizes the importance of audience awareness in writing, impacting style and content. It highlights the differences in tone when addressing various recipients, such as friends, parents, or academic entities. Additionally, it outlines the primary purposes of writing—informing or persuading—and notes the standard structure commonly used: an introduction with a thesis, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
    • 1.2: Introduction to Narrative Essay
      This page highlights the importance of storytelling and its effects on audiences, encouraging reflection on memorable stories and their compelling elements. It examines narration techniques used by writers to engage readers. The learning outcomes include grasping narrative writing's purpose and structure, as well as acquiring narrative essay writing skills.
    • 1.3: Student Sample- Narrative Essay
      This page presents a summary of the essay "Melon Harvest" by J. Workman, focusing on themes of memory, identity, and contrasts between rural and urban living. The protagonist's visit to a watermelon farmer triggers reflections on her agricultural heritage and elicits nostalgia for her past. The essay juxtaposes the authenticity of rural life with her post-college experiences, highlighting societal change. An annotated version is included to deepen understanding of these themes and elements.
    • 1.4: “Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell
      This page recounts George Orwell's experience as a colonial officer facing a chaotic situation with a rogue elephant in India. Struggling with local expectations and his own role, he learns about the complexities of imperialism and the moral dilemmas associated with power and authority.
    • 1.5: “Sixty-nine Cents” by Gary Shteyngart
    • 1.6: Video- The Danger of a Single Story
      This page explores Chimamanda Adichie's insights on the complexity of cultures and identities, highlighting the importance of multiple narratives. She reflects on her personal journey to find her cultural voice and warns against the pitfalls of accepting a singular story about individuals or nations, which can foster misunderstandings.
    • 1.7: How to Write an Annotation
      This page discusses how college students face challenges with heightened reading demands compared to high school, which can lead to frustration and ineffective habits. It introduces annotating as a beneficial strategy for engaging with academic texts, promoting thoughtful responses and insights. Effective reading involves active prediction, questioning, and summarization.
    • 1.8: How to Write a Summary
      This page emphasizes the importance of summarizing for comprehension and retention of information. Proficient students assess their understanding by summarizing text while reading. A well-crafted summary features an introduction with the title, author, and main point, includes key sub-claims and supporting details in the student’s own words, and ends with a rephrased main idea. Mastering this skill is crucial for academic success.
    • 1.9: Writing for Success- Narration
      This page explores narrative writing's purpose and structure, distinguishing between factual and fictional stories. Important elements include plot, characters, conflict, and theme, organized chronologically to engage readers emotionally. The author shares a personal transformative experience in a philosophy class, highlighting the shift from viewing education as a career to a journey of personal growth.
    • 1.10: Student Sample- Narrative Essay
      This page recounts the author's transformative college journey, sparked by a philosophy assignment on Albert Camus's "The Myth of Sisyphus." Initially anxious and focused on engineering, the author overcame challenges in writing an original interpretation, ultimately earning an A that boosted their confidence. This experience reshaped their view of education, inspiring a shift toward a law career and emphasizing the importance of personal growth over mere job preparation.
    • 1.11: Your Instructions for Essay 1
      This page provides a narrative essay prompt encouraging writers to explore personally meaningful experiences through themes such as friendships and significant life events. It emphasizes prewriting, finding a unique voice, and structuring the essay effectively. Writers are advised to create engaging titles, use sensory details, and avoid direct expressions of the assignment. The essay should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a reflective conclusion on the experience's significance.
    • 1.12: Grammar/Mechanics Mini-Lecture
      This page offers a "Guide to Writing" handbook featuring grammar and mechanics information accessible throughout the semester. It includes review videos on subjects, verbs, irregular verbs, and subject-verb agreement in the first eight modules, with links provided for easy access to these resources.


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