Reference no: EM132209081

Value and Purpose of Storytelling and Narratives

Overview

In this unit you are assigned to read several narratives that were written for various purposes. Narratives are accounts of events or experiences.

They are stories. In the past you may have been asked to write a personal narrative in which you related an experience you had (and probably the meaning behind it or what you learned from it).

But, narratives are not always about personal experience and they can also be fictitious. The narratives we are reading and discussing for this class are true accounts (non-fiction essays).

Directions:

In this discussion forum please address the following question: What is the use or value of narratives in our world today? Consider times and places we recount or listen to narratives (stories) either in our professional, educational, or personal lives.

Your initial post of at least one paragraph is due on Friday. You must also reply to two posts by Sunday. Remember to be specific and respectful in your comments.

Discussion Reminders:

Please remember to write using conventional English (avoid slang and abbreviations typically used in social media posts or in text messages), but write in a conversational and clear manner.

In your replies, give specific comments about the writer's post. Offer your own insight or ideas. You might also ask a question.

If you disagree with a post, you may express that, but be respectful and stick to the topic. Name-calling and/or attacking the writer is unacceptable.

Overview:

Answer the following question based on your reading of ONE (only one, not two, or three . . .) of the following selections. Your response should be about 300-400 words and it should include your reaction (your opinion). Write the title of the piece you have chosen somewhere at the top or in the beginning.:

• "Salvation" by Langston Hughes

• "The Chase" by Annie Dillard

• "In the Early Morning Rain" by Jennifer Finney Boylan

• "Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell

Directions:

Discuss your experience reading one of the pieces. Write your reaction. Be sure to reference specific details from the piece and clearly give your reaction to it. This is a relatively informal writing assignment, but it still should be organized and will likely be a couple of paragraphs.

Relax and communicate with your reader. You might consider the following ideas:

• What surprised you, confused you, upset you, or caused you to think?

• Were you able to relate to the piece in some significant way? Why is that?

• Did the writing style or language keep you engaged or perhaps distract you?

You may consider writing your response in GoogleDocs or Word and then copying and pasting your text into the field below. This will ensure you will not lose your work if your connection is interrupted.