Narratives: Classic Literature (ANSWERED)

QUESTION

Choose a topic that enables you to tell a short, interesting personal story. Your story can be funny, suspenseful, meaningful, or exciting, but it must focus on one event. For example, if you decide to write about traveling to Denmark, you should not write about the entire trip. Choose one event (e.g., an afternoon you spent bicycling on an island, or your first taste of smoked herring, or your visit to the childhood home of Hans Christian Anderson) and tell a detailed story that focuses on that event.

The following are some ideas that can help you to select a topic for your story:

Firsts: Think of a “first” in your life and describe that moment in detail.
Proud Moment: Choose a moment when you felt proud about an accomplishment.
Adversity: Describe a time when you had to think or act quickly to overcome a challenge.
Travel: Recall a memorable experience you had while visiting an interesting place.
B. Think About Your Writing

Below your completed narrative, include answers to all of the following reflection questions:

1. Which narrative techniques did you use to bring your story to life? (2-3 sentences) Sophia says: Did you use vivid description, sensory details, and/or dialogue to engage readers? Provide two examples from your essay in which you “show” readers rather than “tell” them. EXAMPLE: A sentence such as “I glanced at the clock, grabbed my briefcase, and sprinted for the elevator” uses more descriptive language than simply saying, “I was running late for the meeting.”

2. How did your purpose and audience shape the way in which you wrote your narrative? (3-4 sentences) Sophia says: Your hypothetical audience extends beyond the people who will evaluate your narrative. Which individuals or groups were you addressing when you wrote your narrative, and how did consideration of your audience and your purpose influence the way in which you wrote it?

3. Provide a concrete example from your narrative that shows how you have written specifically for this audience and purpose. (3-5 sentences) Sophia says: Consider including a quotation from your essay and explaining how it was written to appeal to your audience, and to accomplish your purpose. Alternatively, you might describe a theme, tone, or narrative technique that you used and explain how it was intended to appeal to your audience and achieve your purpose.

C. Narrative Guidelines

DIRECTIONS: Refer to the checklist below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until your essay meets all of the guidelines.

Narrative Focus and Flow

❒ Are all of the details in your story relevant to your purpose?
❒ Are the events presented in a logical order that is easy to follow?
❒ Is your story 500-800 words in length? If not, which details do you need to add or subtract?

Narrative Structure

❒ Is there an opening paragraph that introduces the setting, characters, and situation?
❒ Are there middle paragraphs that describe the progression of events?
❒ Is there a closing paragraph that provides a thorough resolution to the story?

Narrative Language and Techniques

❒ Have you incorporated narrative language and techniques (e.g., figurative language, concrete and sensory details, dialogue, and vivid description)?
❒ Can examples of narrative language and techniques be found throughout your story, or are they only evident in some places?

Conventions

❒ Have you double-checked for correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, formatting, and capitalization?
❒ Have you proofread to find and correct typos?

Before You Submit

❒ Have you included your name, date, and course in the top left corner of the page?
❒ Have you answered all of the “Think About Your Writing” questions?
❒ Is your essay between 500 and 800 words in length (2-3 pages)?

D. Scoring

Your composition and reflection will be scored according to the Touchstone 1 Rubric, which evaluates the narrative focus, narrative flow, narrative structure, narrative language and techniques, use of conventions (grammar, punctuation, etc.), and your answers to the “Think About your Writing” questions above

ANSWER

Narratives: Classic Literature

Everyone has a first of everything, and mine is traveling. It has been my dream to visit all the childhood places I have ever wanted from fairy tales. One of my memorable experiences was visiting Disney land in Orlando, Florida. I had been saving up for more than one year, and when the summer of 2019 came, I had enough money for the visit. That day, I could almost touch the excitement of getting out of bed and preparing for my journey.

I remember the spectacular moment of getting off the plane and how the typical Florida’s hot but humid air hit me like a wall. I felt a wave of excitement and anticipation wash over me as I made my way to the park, ready to explore. As I approached the entrance, I could hear the sound of joyful screams and laughter emanating from the rides as the smell of freshly popped popcorn and cotton candy hit my nostrils, so irresistible that my mouth began to water. Knowing I had so many things to see and so much ground to cover, I walked through the crowds in the park, taking in every sight and sound. To anyone, it would be just a normal visit, but to me, it felt different, just like in a toddler, as I watched Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse greet their fans with hugs and high-fives. I even spotted a few Disney princesses walking around, chatting and taking photos with visitors.

When the time came, I took an adventure with the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, following behind a long line of equally desiring people of all genders. Before the ride took off, despite being ‘unchatty’ sometimes, I managed to chat with some people- ever wonder what excitement can do?! After the warnings and specific instructions, the train chugged up the hill and then careened down the tracks, twisting and turning around corners. All I could think of at this time was living in the moment while holding my hands out in the air to let out a scream of pure exhilaration.

I grabbed a churro and headed towards Fantasyland after the ride, where I wandered through the colorful gardens and fountains while taking in the whimsical atmosphere.

Due to my limited finances, the trip ended with me visiting the different lands in the park, from Tomorrowland to Adventureland. I finally watched the final parade and the fireworks display, marveling at the vibrant colors and impressive pyrotechnics as I prepared to make my way toward the exit. At some point, I wanted to experience the pirates of the Caribbean, but time was a big factor.

Knowing this was the first time I treated myself to a trip, I paused for a moment and looked back as I felt a sense of awe and wonder at the magic that had just taken place. Although I have not managed to go back for the second time, the memories are still alive.

Which narrative techniques did you use to bring your story to life? (2-3 sentences) Sophia says: Did you use vivid description, sensory details, and/or dialogue to engage readers? Provide two examples from your essay in which you “show” readers rather than “tell” them.

According to Mewshaw (2005), vivid descriptions often bear the hallmarks of travel narratives. In this story, I have utilized vivid descriptions to paint the picture of the park to the readers who may not have visited the part. For instance, when I took the ride on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, I described the experience with phrases such as “careened down the tracks, twisting and turning around corners,” that have created a sense of motion and excitement. Consequently, I have used sensory details description to create an image in the reader’s mind, such that they can imagine what it would be like when they are at the park in person. For example, I described the experience when getting off the plane when the hot, humid air hit me as soon as I got off, and the smell of popcorn hitting my nostrils.

How did your purpose and audience shape the way in which you wrote your narrative? (3-4 sentences)

The main purpose of writing the short narrative is to create a picture of Disney land so that people who have not gone there can picture it just by reading. The audience is a group interested in traveling to their dream destinations, just like I did. Most travel narratives are written in the first person because of what Philips (2015) describes as the power of conveying information first-hand. Besides, Rutledge (2015) describes narration as part of the structuring devices that influence how the story is presented. Because it was supposed to be a description, this purpose made me consider including vivid descriptions and sensory details. Therefore, the traveling experience, together with the narrative devices, assumes a personal memoir as Mewshaw (2005) describes to influence the fascination aspect.

Despite my story not being detailed, it spills into details of the parts like the ride, Tomorrowland to Adventureland, and the snacks made within that shape the audience of the story. It is also important to note that the audience can be young adults/ youth to pre-teens who dream of going to Disneyland, hence the description of various parts in detail.

Provide a concrete example from your narrative that shows how you have written specifically for this audience and purpose.

The theme of the story is traveling and adventure. According to Topping (2015), most travel narratives are made better with the description of the visuals with words. Using Disney land as my destination, which is a famous and attractive place most people want to go, I have described features most people would want to experience, like the long railroad, exploration of the land, and so on. Although the majority of the audience would be young people who grew up watching Disney movies, anyone who enjoys Disney land, amusement parks, magical experiences, or who likes to travel can be an audience. My narrative can also be appealing to people who like visiting places that many people want to go to, like Disney land. Nonetheless, this narrative can serve those who have never been and are curious about what the park is like through the sensory and vivid description.

References

Mewshaw, M. (2005). Travel, Travel Writing, and the Literature of Travel. South Central Review, 22(2), 2–10. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40039867

Phillips, M. (2015). The power of the first-person narrative: Ericka Huggins and the Black Panther Party. Women’s Studies Quarterly, 43(3/4), 33-51. https://www.jstor.org/stable/43958548

Rutledge, A. (2015). Travelling Narrator, Travelling Characters: Developments in Narration and Characterization in the Novels of Dickens. Dickens Studies Annual, 46, 51–70. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44372247

Topping, M. (2015). Travel Writing and Visual Culture. In The Routledge Companion to Travel Writing (pp. 98-108). Routledge.