Month: September 2021

1. A descriptive detail that stood out to me from Malcolm X’s narrative was how he described that reading as something that brought liberation to a person. X talks about how reading had been a key to liberating him from the tortures of the world, such as how he explained that even in jail the world around him was blocked out whenever he picked up a book. He described the matter as being completely free, which is ironic since he was locked up in jail at the time. This reflects a lot about how reading can take you to a different dimension of feeling relief. This description from Malcolm X also displays how knowledge-hungry he was. 

2. One style that I would like to imitate from all the writers that we have read about is how detailed and elaborate they can get. The reason being is because when a writer is detailed and explains the detail to the audience, it can captivate a reader’s attention and want them to keep reading forward. One of the styles that captivated my attention was how Anzaldua’s literacy narrative used two languages. Using two languages, allowed her to further grasp the audience she was targeted because not only could they relate to her narrative, but on top of her using Spanish in the narrative, it allowed readers to further relate with her experiences. I can implement this into my literacy narrative by throwing in religious phrases or words in my literacy narrative to further captivate the attention of the audience I’m trying to get to. 

One thing that stood out to me about X’s narrative was when he would write down all the words of the dictionary to improve his vocabulary. I found this to be very intriguing because of his determination to educate himself for his own well-being. He was his own motivation and he was open to learning new things. Sometimes in life you have limited resources and have to use what’s around you. But those limited resources shouldn’t hold you back from learning or doing what you genuinely want to do.

In my literacy narrative I will be using personal/ past experiences. My personal experiences will add more to my narrative making it more engaging to the audience. It will also allow my audience to relate to my experiences as it may has happened to them or if it’s something that they struggle with now. I may also incorporate some of Sedari’s strong character swelling that my personality is very dominant.

1. One instance that stood out to me from Malcolm X’s writing is how he found a way to read through the night. It was compelling how he found a way to do the one thing he enjoyed doing in prison even when he wasn’t supposed to. HE wanted to better himself so when he gets out he’s an even more educated man. This scenario is even more intriguing because most people can relate. Whenever I was little I always kept my D.S underneath my pillow and played it all night and whenever I heard footsteps I hid it and played opossum. Reading was Malcolm X’s D.S or iPhone that he couldn’t get enough of so it was really compelling that he found a loophole to read all night to further himself.
2. I may use Sedaris’ style of using funny weird characters. My literacy narrative is mostly going to take place during my childhood. So there will be a couple of instances where I portray someone in my life as goofball but helped me with my literacy due to that. Also, Manson’s idea of starting and ending with the same scene but with different internal thoughts is a great method. It may be a good source of inspiration for my narrative showing the change in my character and what I’ve learned in a somewhat similar scene to the beginning.

1. One descriptive detail from X’s narrative that especially stands out to me was when he said “In fact, up to then, I never had been so truly free in my life.” I found it fascinating how he said that while sitting in prison. I would assume prison to feel like a place that makes you feel restricted and constrained and as if you have stripped every bit of freedom you have. So therefore, when he said he has never felt more free before it goes against any and all stigma that surrounds the concept of being in a prison. However, this situation did alter his personal relationship to written literacy when he decided to pick up a dictionary and copy it word by word in order to widen his idiolect while incarcerated. He decided to view his situation as a positive and learning experience and decided to start getting deeper into literature, which he genuinely grew to love.
2. Looking back over the literacy narratives we’ve read so far, one thing I want to imitate from these writers in my own literacy narrative is doing a free write based on my feelings and memories about certain aspects that eventually connected back to my own literacy narrative topic. I feel like following Manson’s style of writing as an example could be very beneficial to me because I can talk about that one moment of my life that felt like the tip of the iceberg which set in course all of my next actions in regards to my topic for my literacy narrative. I can illustrate this process through the use of specific examples, just as Manson did in his writing.

After reading Malcom’s note about the experience he had in prison, I can think of a few things I am interested by. One of them is the idea that there are so many words in the english language. I relate to this because I have found so many words that I didn’t know existed. One thing I found interesting is the final line about him feeling truly free. I found this interesting because he feels truly free after being in prison? It seems unusual.

Looking back at the old literacy narratives we have read for this course, there a few ideas I feel like using. I want to use Medanis’ feeling of not readiness to explain transitions in my story (no spoilers lol). I also want to use the suffer less and plan out my writing over the next few days (I forgot the name). I also want to write my narrative as a sort of personal story, to try and create more relate-ability for my readers. But other than that, I cannot think of any other methods I want to use.

1- The one detail from X’s narrative that really stood out for me was this quote “When I had progressed to really serious reading, every night at about ten P.M. I would be outraged with the “lights out.” It always seemed to catch me right in the middle of something engrossing.” (Page 4). This was something that caught my eye because you have a prisoner (X) who is “outraged” whenever the prison shutoff the lights. Malcom X was extremely devoted in reading new books so he may expand his knowledge. This suggested the growth in relationship between Malcom X and written pieces. He controlled his environment, going from being a prisoner with few freedoms to becoming knowledgable in the english language.

2- One thing that I would like to duplicate from all the writers that we have read about would be their use of descriptive details and explanations. I would then use these details and lead into my main idea of of maturity and my experiences involving with it. To add on, Anzaldua’s literacy narrative really caught my eye because she used Spanish phrases and terms to create the feeling of being relatable to her audience (Spanish speakers). I could use the way that Anzaldua adapted to languages, to express how I adapted as I person cause of my environment. It’s really helpful how I can use Anzaldua’s literacy narrative and connect it to the way I might write mine.

1. A descriptive detail that especially stood out to me was when X’ said, “You couldn’t have gotten me out of books with a wedge. Between Mr. Muhammad’s teachings, m correspondence, my visitors- usually Ella and Reginald – and my reading of books, month passed without my even thinking about being imprisoned. In fact, up to then, I never had been so truly free in my life.” When I read this from X’s narrative I was completely astonished by his use of words, especially when he said, “In fact, up to then, I never had been so truly free in my life.” It is crazy to think how one could be incarcerated with no where to go, no freedom, and still somehow manage to find something that works as a distraction for him. It’s also extremely inspiring the fact that when he was imprisoned his first action was to teach himself to read and write. He wanted to better himself. He wanted to have a better relationship with the literacy world which definitely worked out for him at the end of the day. That just showed not only me but the people who were inspired by Malcom X, how one could be better they just have to really want it for themselves.
2. One structure of writing that really grabbed my attention was Sedaris’s and Anzaldua’s writings. One thing that I really enjoyed about Sedaris’s writing was how she incorporated humor into her narrative. That really grabbed my attention and I just wanted to keep on reading on and on. One thing I really liked about Anzaldua’s writing style was how she included personal experiences into her writing. It really helped me understand her writing more and made me feel the emotions she might’ve been feeling while writing her literacy narrative. In my literacy narrative I want to incorporate those two types of writing styles, although they are both very distinct from each other, I think it is still possible to do so. I just have to figure out a way to get it done.

The line that stood out to me from X’s narrative was surprisingly the last and final line. He said, “In fact, up to then, I never had
been so truly free in my life.” This line lingered in my mind because it has a lot of meaning to it. X is trying to say that gaining the ability to read and write allowed him to feel free in the world, even while incarcerated. This also opened my eyes to the world of reading because I have never been much of a reader, but I may eventually attempt reading for fun. Incarceration positively affected X as it allowed him to feel free in his head, because he has unlocked the ability to fluently read and write.

One thing I want to imitate from these writers in my literacy narrative is their story telling abilities and the descriptive details that they use in their writing. I will be somewhat be telling important moments in my life and I would like to properly describe those moments like these other writers. I personally favor how X wrote, because he seems like a casual writer, that gets the message across.