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As you read and re-read the narratives we’ve looked at, think about how the authors use concrete, significant detail.
“Maybe I Could Save Myself by Writing” by Jose Olivarez
 “The Fourth of July” by Audre LordeÂ
‘Literacy’ Narrative Example – UWL student
****you are not being asked to write a literacy narrative, but here is an example of a University of Wisconsin student’s literacy narrative.
*The language and tone are very formal. The voice is speaking at a constant volume and speed.  It sounds like someone’s telling a story.
*They’re not specifically using any sources. They’re giving examples to further prove what they’re talking about. And they use evidence (events from the past) that justifies their point.
*The narrator asks questions, then gives the answers to the questions. They use images that relate to or are from the events they’re talking about. It’s like a little slide show, but it runs smoothly and has smooth transitions. There’s low instrumental music in the background.
*The video is 9 minutes long.
*I think the target audience is anyone who doesn’t value the little things and events in life. The entire point the narrator is making is that every small thing we do has a consequence. Another possible target audience could be people who are hopeless with their life. The narrator said something specific that led me to this conclusion. At the end of the video they said, “So if you ever thought your life doesn’t matter, believe me, it really does.” They’re trying to encourage people to better understand that every decision we make that seems insignificant, leads to bigger things later. And we all play a part in everything that happens in the world.
*I would like to be as clear as the narrator is in the video. Anyone watching the video would most likely agree with the narrator afterwards because they were easy to understand and persuasive kind of.
*I’d like to avoid saying that my piece will have a specific effect on the audience. The title of the video is “The Butterfly Effect; This Video Will Change Your Life; Documentary”. I feel like by saying that the video will “change” someone’s life is a little dramatic. But then again it might help get more views and a larger audience. Personally, I wouldn’t make the same decision. To get a larger audience I would put an interesting image as clickbait to draw people in. Or I would try to make an interesting title.
Video- The Butterfly Effect | This Video Will Change Your Life | Documentary – YouTube
Part 1
Write a plan and schedule for your Unit 3 Assignment. Give yourself specific deadlines (dates and times) by which to complete aspects of your Unit 3 assignment. This will include (but is not limited to) any additional research you may need to do, finding a mentor-text, learning how to use a particular software and/or application, and composing your Unit 3 assignment. For each deadline, you should lay out a brief plan that details what you expect you will need to complete by that date/time.
Part 2
Sometimes, if we are trying to write in a particular genre, or for a particular publication, we study a particular source that fits that category so we can write in that same style. We call this a “mentor text.”
Last week, we looked at publications and online forums where you might want to publish or present your work. Now, let’s look a little closer. Go back to this site (magazine, webpage, youtube channel etc) and find a SPECIFIC source that you like. It SHOULD NOT be about your topic. You’re not looking at it for that! You’re just looking at what features make this text fit this publication (and this genre!) This can be an article, TED Talk, You Tube Video, etc…
Remember: You’re not looking for any old article. You’re looking for an article that can be published in the magazine you want your work to be published in, or a youtube video that fits on the channel you want your video to go on… get it? This should be something that you want to emulate.
Once you’ve found your mentor text, answer the following questions:
**Include a link to your mentor text (or upload the file)**
Post your answers (and link/file) to the openlab under the category “In-Class Writing”. Whatever you do not complete today you can finish at home.Â
My Unit 2 research was based on the negative impact that animals have from being placed inside of Zoos. For people to fully grasp the idea that they’re participating in the animals suffering, not only do they have to see how they’re taking part but also how to stop. The main excuse to why people are supporting Zoos is to educate. So, I’d like to teach my audience that there are other educational tools besides zoos to learn about animals and their environments.
The specific audience I’d like to reach would be the adults taking their kids to the Zoos. Parents, teachers, daycare instructors, etc.
I’m thinking about doing a documentary. Something that if an adult saw randomly on their Facebook feed, or suggested videos in YouTube, they’d stop what they’re doing and watch it.
I might publish the documentary on YouTube. YouTube has become a “go to” educational tool in schools and in people’s personal lives. Anyone interested or anyone who cares about animals might be interested in the video. If the video made it under the National Geographic channel or website, it could get a lot of views and spread more awareness.
To start I would look for clips of animals being captured/traded. Also, images of animals that were abused and videos of abuse. And write a draft of what I’m going to talk about and what quotes I’m going to use from my sources.
I’m worried I might not be using the right genre, even though I think a documentary is best. There might be another genre that could better attract my audience.
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