Reading the “Shitty First Draft,” made me eager to start working on my writing assignment. Usually, I brainstorm by writing down different ideas related to the assigned topic. The earlier I have the assigned topic the earlier I start working on it. It takes me a while, but I try to narrow down what I am going to write about first before I start putting the ideas on paper. I do not type fast, so I usually handwrite drafts then transfer them to the computer. During the transfer I can correct any mistakes and add detail when necessary. Once that is done, I usually get my daughter to read it over to make sure what I write is clear. There is not anything specific I would like to change about my writing process, but I believe that it can be improved. Every lecture I attend helps guide me in finding ways to do so.
About
Professor: Jessica Penner
Email: jpenner@citytech.cuny.edu
Class Meetings & Times: Mondays & Wednesdays, 4-5:40 PM, in Namm 521
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12 – 1 PM. I’ll be available through Zoom and will send an invitation via email that you should keep all semester. Try to join my meeting at the start of the hour, not at the end—since I may be talking to other students or have another appointment after the hour is up. If those times don’t work with your schedule, we can schedule a different time. This means you’ll have to schedule an appointment in advance via email. I suggest you have multiple times in mind, since your schedule may not mesh with mine!
Course Description: A course in effective essay writing and basic research techniques including use of the library. Demanding readings assigned for classroom discussion and as a basis for essay writing.
Shitty First Drafts
First, answer the following questions:
What have you decided to focus on for your education narrative? Why have you chosen to tell this particular story? Education is the most important thing in people’s lives from one generation to the next. In my family we believe in another to advance ourselves or be proficient financially, we have to pursue our education no other way. I choose to tell this story because I have been so far. Want to be a nurse for a long time and try everything around it professionally. That will be the story of my life.
What is the meaning/significance of your story? Why should people read it? Write this out in one sentence. It is never too late to go after your dreams.
In one word, how do you want people to feel when they are done reading your story?Resilient
Freewrite details you remember about the situation you are describing include people, places, dialogue, feelings, thoughts, etc. that are in some way connected to your story. At my job, I have a supervisor who thought that better than everyone else for she holds a Registered Nurse License, but I have Licensed Practical Nurse. On the other hand, I can do her job more proficiently than her. It will take her years of practice to be able to do what I can do. That’s the reason I must fight harder to own this License.
Second, review what you have so far and try to label the features of your narrative arc.
Exposition/Inciting Incident (who, what, when, where and how does your story begin?) I’m an emigrant brought here by my family for a better life than our dream to come to the United States of America. Which means, even though you must hustle your aim is to reach your goal it may take time but if you focus you can achieve it.
Rising Action (you should include a lot of the story details here) I was in school, but things didn’t go in the right direction. At one point, I wanted to be able to take care of my small children. Try something else for them and me to survive. We all know children are a priority in parents’ lives, we brought them to the world and they must be taken care of to the fullness of your ability.
Climax (the moment of most drama and significance) Having my oldest child graduate with her BS in Nursing made me have the urge to continue what I started. Always believe it’s never too late.
Falling Action (what happened after?) Now that I’m in school doing my prerequisites to be in the nursing program. So in the next three to four years, I will have my degree in Nursing like I always wanted. It’s a process, but I can do it.
Resolution (what was the result of this experience? What is the significance?) Knowing that I will be a nurse, doing what I can to best help others with my experience which I planned all my life will be a plus.