Family Narratives

Submission Type: Word document (brief essay)

For this exercise, you will identify a family story that you heard while growing up, and then discuss and analyze what this narrative has taught you about the world, culture, your family, and yourself.

In your brief 1-2 page essay, please do the following:

1.) Identify and briefly explain your family story. If you have trouble thinking of a family story, ask a family member to help you remember one. 

• Keep in mind that not all family stories are long, overly detailed, and told over and over; many narratives are relatively short and simple, and only told a few times over the years (but they stick with you due to the meaning behind the story).

2.) Discuss how the family story serves the 4 different narrative functions discussed in Module 9 and in the book (see p. 165). Make sure to address each of the 4 functions; skipping over any of the functions will result in a loss of points.  

• As always, be specific in your responses. Thus, rather than simply writing, "This story taught me how to act in professional settings," you should use specific examples from the narrative to show HOW it taught you to behave a certain way.