Prof. Duddy ARCH1101.OLC5 | Prof. Rosen ENG1101.LC07

What makes an education narrative?

After watching Phil Smyth and CAES’s video, “Understanding Genre Awareness,” and keeping in mind the other readings from this semester, what do you think belongs in an education narrative? Add a short comment (a sentence or two) to this brainstorm about genre, about what you think are features of an education narrative. If someone else has already written what you wanted to add, instead of replying to me, respond to your classmate’s comment and amplify what they wrote–meaning add to what has already been written with more detail, more clarity, more context, an example from our readings, etc.

13 Comments

  1. Alvin Kalicharan

    Features of an education narrative could be including things that inspire the reader or help the reader learn on a certain topic.

    • Jody R. Rosen

      Thanks for getting this started, Alvin! So I notice that you’re considering the reader of the education narrative. What techniques can the author use to inspire the reader?

      Remember that the education narrative is one about education–it’s different than one that’s educational, or that aims to educate its readers about something. Of course we’ll all learn from reading each other’s education narratives, but I wanted to be sure that distinction is clear.

  2. Andre Chen

    Some features that I believed that are an educational narrative are the things that we experienced in our life which affects us as a whole.

    • Stacy Amaya

      I agree with your statement, we learn a lot in life and in our experiences and that’s also how we start to learn. As we all grow we learn and develop and become the person we are now.

  3. Jody R. Rosen

    It’s interesting that you say “as a whole.” Should we write about things that are universal? Or look to make our unique experiences apply to a larger group? I’m interested in what we have in common and what sets us apart.

    But as a genre, education narratives must do some things the same, so in that sense they apply to the whole. What are some things we see our readings have in common? Which are education narratives and which are not?

  4. Kevin Giron

    First of all, I feel like what belongs in a Education Narrative is your own personal experiences or maybe how someone else experiences may have affected you. A feature that can be incorporated into a Education Narrative can be an experience that your audience can relate to. From that, your audience can try and learn from the good you’ve done or the mistakes you have committed. This is similar to what Alvin wrote, trying to inspire or teach others based on what you’ve gone through.

    • Jody R. Rosen

      Relatability is an important part of connecting with your reader for most genres, but seems especially important here. What do we all think about Kevin’s point about mistakes–is this a good place to write about mistakes, or only if we have a learning experience to redeem ourselves? I would say it might depend on the audience or purpose for your narrative. If you’re sharing it on the home page of your ePortfolio, for example, I’d recommend you have a nice solution or lesson learned from the mistake you share. If you’re using the narrative to get to know your classmates better, they will be more forgiving and that mistake might make you more relatable. I’d love to hear what all of you think!

    • Jody R. Rosen

      Also–really interesting to include how someone else’s experiences may have affected you. I’m thinking here about a teacher, or some other kind of educator. Or maybe a parent or sibling. Or a role model. Kevin, is this what you had in mind? Anyone else have thoughts on this?

      You could also bring in an experience that you read about in our course, too–that’s a great way to frame your own experiences in education.

  5. zafarjon abdukahorov

    i feel like in a educational narrative what belongs in it is your personal experiences affected you to become the person you are today. it can be a experience you had as a kid similar to what everybody else said above, and also could be like you idea on if you have a good experience with school and education

    • Jody R. Rosen

      Does the education narrative need to include the person you are today? I think it’s great if it does, but I wonder what one would look like that only focuses on the earlier experience and doesn’t connect it back to your current educated self.

      Remember, you can write about experiences that aren’t good, if you’re comfortable with that! Sometimes it’s the good experience that matters, but sometimes it’s only in relationship to other less-than-good experiences that we can appreciate it.

  6. Angie

    In my opinion, a educational narrative should include any challenges, setbacks, or even positive experiences that affected you somehow. Whether it be to spark the mindset or perspective of one’s self, or a person’s way of learning. Everybody has their own way of learning ,communicating, and expressing their thoughts.

  7. SiniaB

    I think what should be included in a education narrative is your own personal experience of the lessons you’ve learned, the difficult obstacles you’ve faced, and the outcome of everything else.

  8. Zhipeng zhu

    I think education narrative should include the narratives own personal experiences during his/her life. How they overcome each things and their achievements.

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