20 Literacy Narrative
A literacy narrative will need to:
- Tell a story
- Have a beginning, middle, and end (plot diagram)
- Include specific evidence of literacy acquisition
- Include vivid details
- Address a particular audience
What is a literacy narrative? In general, the term “literacy” means the ability to read and write. However, in a more narrow application, literacy means the ability to successfully communicate with a specific audience. Think about it. Different audiences have different expectations and use different vocabularies to discuss topics that are important to them. Sports Illustrated vs. Popular Mechanics: these two magazines target different audiences as evidenced by the article topics and the diction used within those articles.
The term “narrative” means story; thus, a literacy narrative essay is an essay that tells the story of your literacy. It highlights times in your life during which you have gained knowledge or developed skills. The label “literacy narrative” may sound new, but it’s not. Literacy narratives can be found in autobiographies and memoirs, or think about the times when you are asked to write about your qualifications, such as for a scholarship, a job, or an internship. These are all examples of literacy narratives.
For a quick explanation, Ryan Hitch offers an overview of literacy narrative in this YouTube video.
Now, reflect on your own audiences. We interact one way with our families and friends, with inside jokes and shared experiences. We interact another way in more formal settings, such as in class or at work. In these settings, we become a little more reserved and use language specific to that setting. Likewise, your writing style reflects who you are, which adapts to individual audiences and purposes or more specifically, the rhetorical situation.
A literacy narrative essay should take your readers through experiences in your life when you acquired knowledge and skills that make you who you are today. These skills can be gained in lots of situations, such as academic, social, or technical. What is a technical situation? Moreover, a literacy narrative can also include your goals for the future. Overall, a literacy narrative essay demonstrates skills that you have developed over time, which will enable your success in a particular area/field.
Keep your purpose in mind. Why are you writing a literacy narrative (besides for class)? Do you deserve that scholarship? Should you be hired for that job position? Should you receive a spot in that specialized program? A literacy narrative is your way to prove that you should be granted whatever you are asking for. It’s your chance to explain how all your education, experience, and character make you the best choice out of everyone else who has also applied.
If you would like more on literacy narratives, LibreText has full chapter with examples and instructions for writing a literacy narrative of your own. A good place to begin is with LibreText‘s chapter: “Literacy Narrative: Building Bridges, Bridging Gaps” or with the example: “Literacy Narrative Trailblazer: Tara Westover,”
What are some examples of this genre?