Project 1

English 1302 Project 1: Narrative Argument 100 points/2 pp ds, 2 research citations ©2016 Stacia Campbell, Ph.D.

Relevant Reading: Chapters 2&9 of Argument Today textbook

ASSIGNMENT:

Using your chapter readings,

class discussion, and instructor’s

guidance, WRITE A NARRATIVE

ARGUMENT of at least two pages

double-spaced MINIMUM (not

counting header, blank lines, or

title lines, but actual original text

written by you!)

SPECIFICATIONS:

Your story MUST BE PRECISE, based on events EXPERIENCED OR OBSERVED IN 5

minutes to ONE HOUR of time, no more. Yes, you can do this! It’s not an

autobiography that you are writing; it’s a short and POWERFUL narrative

argument—a story that argues on its own through the powerful way that you tell

it! Think of it as a “slice-into-life-up-close-moment-memoir”!

Revisit the “Quick View” on Page 174 of your textbook, noting that “narratives

are generative because they invite an audience to identify” and “are useful for

challenging or reinforcing existing cultural frames.” Also note the sequence: 1)

scene setting, 2) complication, 3) evaluation, 4) resolution, 5) (optional “lesson”

or call to action). See Pages 176-179 for great tips on these! See Pages 179-180

for style and design tips!

Brainstorming Question: WHAT STORY COULD YOU TELL THAT WOULD

“ILLUSTRATE HOW REAL PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THE WORLD” (174)—providing a

way to be persuasive through detail-rich storytelling when perhaps reasoning

would not succeed? What powerful assertion could you make through a single

non-fiction story?

RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS (THERE ARE TWO):

1) INTERVIEW AT LEAST ONE PERSON WHO CAN SOMEHOW “TESTIFY” TO

YOUR EXPERIENCE OR OBSERVATION (it could even be the person who

experienced what you saw happen!)

Find a way to incorporate a quote from this person SMOOTHLY into your

conclusion.

2) INTRODUCE IN YOUR OWN WORDS AND INCORPORATE A WORKING WEB

LINK TO A VIDEO THAT RELATES TO YOUR STORY SOMEHOW (you decide

that interesting connection as the author!)

Don’t forget that you will need to create a CORRECTLY FORMATTED WORKS CITED

PAGE with the interview and the video as entries! (Visit Pages 396-397 and 405 in

our Argument Today textbook if you are having trouble remembering how to do a

Works Cited page from English 1301! You are accountable for this skill being

already developed when you begin English 1302; see a tutor if you need a review!)

Reminder: Your Works Cited page is a SEPARATE double-spaced LAST PAGE with a

centered header “Works Cited” (always!) and DOES NOT COUNT toward length!

GRADING CRITERIA:

1) Engaging narrative content that “argues for itself” (without a thesis

statement)

2) Minimum length met and minimum research requirements met

3) Incorporation of narrative elements including title, scene setting,

characterization, dialogue (in quotes, even if internal thoughts of you as the

narrator), conflict, pacing techniques, and resolution.

4) College-level sentence structures that are free of serious grammar errors

such as run-ons and comma splices, and reveal attempts at style and

sophistication (intentional syntax, parallel structures, evocative word

choice, etc.)

5) Correctly formatted Works Cited page with at least two entries per

assignment specifications

6) Bonus gauntlet for “outstanding” level = an intriguing title, powerful

sensory detail, at least one original metaphor of your own, and evidence of

strong temporal, spatial, and logical transitions.