Writing Task Mentor Quote — Your Name Here

Write two fully developed paragraphs, 6-7 sentences each (plus quotation of at least two sentences).  Please reply to two fellow students’ posts.  Have fun with this!  Refer to:

• my example post by Lisa
• Leylah Fernandez (US Open Tennis Champ)’s words.
• Prof Caroline Hellman’s quote of Cuomo.

Revise your free write from today’s class (Sept. 13).  Take what you wrote in your notebook about motivational (positive) OR damaging words (negative) from a mentor and develop it into two fully developed paragraphs, 6-7 sentences each (or more).  This HW post will be a higher-stakes assignment and will be graded, 1-4.  4 means well developed.  1 means underdeveloped.   

At the start of "Saved," Chapter 11 of his autobiography, Malcolm X remembers the "electrical effect" the words of his mentor Elijah Muhammad had on him in prison.  He then expresses his frustration at not being able to use proper English in writing reply letters back to him. Malcolm's desire to address his mentor respectfully using standard English inspires him to start his "homemade education."  

Think of a time a mentor or authority figure gave you an encouraging word that moved you forward in your educational journey.  What were the precise words––and on what occasion did your mentor tell you these words?  What was the actual scene?  How did they help you move forward?  Start your piece with this quotation.  In what ways did your relationship with your mentor conform with or go against (“dismantle”) traditional hierarchies?  How do the lessons from this figure continue to impact you in college?

Conversely, think of a time when a mentor or authority figure spoke to you using negative language that caused you pain.  Starting with the words themselves–give a quotation–how did these damaging words affect your educational journey?

Remember to start your story with the mentor's own words–that is, with a quotation–as Professor Hellman does in her essay.  She gives a quotation from Governor Cuomo before starting her essay.  If the person is speaking in another language, consider using that home language.

CREATE THEATRE OF THE MIND -- In the first paragraph of this free write, after giving the mentor's quotation, be sure to set your piece in a particular place –- your living room?  your bedroom?  a classroom?   Also indicate the bigger setting, which country?  What language are you speaking?   And indicate the time-line?  present day?  when you were ten?  a junior in high school?