Successes, Victims, and Prodigies: “Master” and “Little” Cultural Narratives in the Literacy Narrative Genre
Alexander
Annotations:
In the first annotation I have an excerpt from page 610. In the quote the author says that, “although literacy can lead to possibility, hope, and power, it can also marginalize and disempower people. I though this was interesting because what the author is saying is true. Literacy is seen as a good thing, but one must also realize that if not treated and done correctly it can tear you apart. I’m curious on what the author has in the future back this claim.
In the second annotation I have an excerpt from page 610. In the quote it says that, “The success narrative is also appealing because it promotes the idea that anyone-no matter their social background-can move up in the “status, income, reputation, and self-esteem” “(610). I think the authors claim here is valid that people tend to relate more to success. We all want to be successful and most of us are hopeful of that. That is why I think most of us write literacy narratives with a hopeful outlook involving success.
In the next annotation I have a paragraph from page611. Within the paragraph the author introduces little literacy narratives. I annotated a lot in this paragraph because this concept is very important to the rest of the article, and lays a foundation. In the paragraph the author calls little literacy narratives, “literacy narrative that contrast with and challenge the master narratives”(611). They are the contrast to larger, master literacy narratives.
Heroes, Rebels, and Victims: Students Identities in Literacy Narratives
Williams
Annotations:
The following three annotations all have a common theme. These are questions that, according to the author, teachers ask their students. These questions involve the students to analyze their literacy narratives in a way they usually would not. This helps the students better understand what their writing says about them and their relationship through literacy. These questions include, “writing the key moment”, “describe characters impacts”, and “characterize people”.
Sponsors of Literacy
Brandt
Annotations:
In the first annotation I have an excerpt from page 556. This article was confusing to me so I annotated this line that says that talks about what the article was saying. That way when I got confused I could go back and see what the author is trying to say. The excerpt says the article is, “a conceptual approach that begins to connect literacy as an individual development to literacy as an economic development.” what I think the author is saying is that they are comparing literacy to the surrounding culture. They are seeing how literacy is viewed by the society at the time. They are comparing how literacy is valued over time.
In the next annotation, the author discussed their research. On page 557 they say in the quote that this study of literacy over time has been a 5 year study and they study is based on, “sponsors of literacy across the twentieth century”. This gives me the reader the knowledge that this article is more of a scientific paper where the author is explaining research they conducted on literacy in the united states in the 2oth century.
In the last annotation on page 558 the author talks a little more of the sponsors of literacy. They say that when looking for these sponsors, “it will be useful to look for its function within larger political and economic arenas”. He goes on to discuss how literacy is valued, comparing literacy to land such that land is a key to gaining profit. I think this is a very interesting point that the author is making and I agree with it.
Cheat Sheet
| Cultural Narrative | Definition | Who uses it | Popularity |
| Success |
|
Most students | 1 |
| Hero |
|
First year students | 3 |
| Child Prodigy |
|
Mostly White Students | 4 |
| Literacy Winner |
|
Mostly African-American Students | 5 |
| Victim |
|
Privileged Students | 2 |
| Outsider |
|
Everyone | 7 |
| Rebel |
|
Everyone | 6 |
ENG110J
