- I use the work of Alexander and Williams in my writing, specifically their studies on the different identities that literacy narratives can exemplify and shifts in these identities that take place in these narratives. So far in my paper, my peers think I do a good job at connecting the ideas of Alexander and Williams to the literacy narratives I am examining. However, through peer revision they made a few suggestions that relate to these. They encourage me to delve deeper in these connections between texts, and add more context and explanation in my writing. My narratives focus on identity shifts, and I believe these identity shifts are very vital for people in their personal acquisition of literacy. When writing my final draft, it is very important that I make these connections as clear and concise as possible for the reader to easily understand.
- I introduce the work of Alexander and Williams in my introduction paragraph, and my peers believe I did a good job at this. I only use a sentence or two to introduce each text, and keep the introductions concise and straight to the point. However, I could add more to my introduction of Hien Nguyen’s literacy narrative. I go right in and use a quote from his literacy narrative without first introducing to the reader who he is and why his literacy narrative is in my paper. I just have to add an extra sentence to explain to the reader who Hien is and what his narrative entails. I believe I can keep my introduction of the Alexander and Williams texts as they are.
- I use solid evidence from both the Alexander and Williams texts in my writing. I pull quotes from the texts that support my claims effectively and that feel like they belong in my paper. I do the same with the literacy narratives, as they quotes I chose to use from these also effectively support my claims and tie in with my connections to Alexander and Williams. One comment that my peers made that I must keep in mind through revision is my explanation of the evidence. I should add more explanation using “I say” techniques to effectively maximize the potential in my writing and in my paper. Through keeping all this in mind, I believe I can improve my paper through revision and make my final draft the best version as possible.
Freshman Year Lessons in Literacy
