assignments ENGL303 Writing Our Heritages:
Naming What We Know
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Overview: It’s no fluke that one of the first things that Adam does in the Bible is name all the animals. Names define us. The give take on meaning, and they contribute meaning. When I was in college, I was walking across campus with a friend named “Aaron.” One of his friends called out to say “Hi Aaron.” In a weird twist, this was also at the exact moment that someone who knew me by sight but not by name was also passing by. He heard the “Hi Aaron” and thought it was my name–he heard “Hi Erin.” We never really got to know each other beyond passing meetings with mutual friends but ever after that he called me “Erin.”
And I never corrected him.
I sort of was interested in who someone who looked exactly like me but had a totally different name might be–what would she like? What would her hobbies be? Her majors? How would she dress? And I have to confess that as a kid I loathed my name (it rhymes with “pee,” an unfortunate circumstance that playground mean girls took full advantage of). And yet, now, I really love my name–because it is my Aunt’s name, because very few people have it, because it is gender neutral.
And I haven’t even gotten into my last name, which, is, also, pretty unique here in the US but, apparently, in Hungary, is about as ubiquitous as “Smith.” As a kid, I hated how unusual my name is, but now I feel like I don’t want to give it up.
For this assignment, I am asking you to 1) explore your name, first and or last and 2) assemble a product that tries to get at what your name tells you about your heritage.
WAYS TO EXPLORE YOUR NAME (some of this work we will start in class)
WHAT YOUR FINISHED PRODUCT CAN LOOK LIKE
Remember that the ultimate goal of this project is to create a multigenre essay, which, again, is a collection of “texts,” and I’m defining that broadly, that are united by a single theme. With that in mind, your finished product can take one of three forms.
Finally, using this Word Art Website (wordart.com) enter words from you project and from your analysis and create a word art image to accompany your final product and analysis. Save it as a .PDF and then print it out to include with your final project.
How you will Be Evaluated for this Project
This project, as are all of the mini-projects, is worth 10% of your final grade. In order to earn a “B” for that 10% you must:
In order to earn an “A” for the 10% you must
In order to earn a “C” for the 10% you must
If you fail to earn the “C” grade you will fail this 10% of your final grade. Remember, as well, that not completing a mini-project will affect your final grade for your final project/porftolio.
And I never corrected him.
I sort of was interested in who someone who looked exactly like me but had a totally different name might be–what would she like? What would her hobbies be? Her majors? How would she dress? And I have to confess that as a kid I loathed my name (it rhymes with “pee,” an unfortunate circumstance that playground mean girls took full advantage of). And yet, now, I really love my name–because it is my Aunt’s name, because very few people have it, because it is gender neutral.
And I haven’t even gotten into my last name, which, is, also, pretty unique here in the US but, apparently, in Hungary, is about as ubiquitous as “Smith.” As a kid, I hated how unusual my name is, but now I feel like I don’t want to give it up.
For this assignment, I am asking you to 1) explore your name, first and or last and 2) assemble a product that tries to get at what your name tells you about your heritage.
WAYS TO EXPLORE YOUR NAME (some of this work we will start in class)
- Just google your name. See what there is out there. Like the Brian of “Being Brian” are there a lot of you out there? What comes up about you? What picture does it paint of someone with your name just by looking at what comes up from a fast google search.
- Research your last name on a site like Ellis Island Passenger Search Page. If you have an account on something like Ancestry.com or want to take advantage of a free trial. You can look up your family name that way. You can also use this free site called “Behind the Names” to look up information about your last name.
- Talk to a family member about what they know about your name–first and last? Why did you end up with the name you ended up with? What family stories are attached to your name?
WHAT YOUR FINISHED PRODUCT CAN LOOK LIKE
Remember that the ultimate goal of this project is to create a multigenre essay, which, again, is a collection of “texts,” and I’m defining that broadly, that are united by a single theme. With that in mind, your finished product can take one of three forms.
- Write a Poem. Poetry is not my thing, but I know that it is many people’s thing. Warning: I’m not expecting you to be Shakespeare, but if you are picking this option, you should be putting something thoughtful together. Don’t pick this option just because it feels like the shortest amount of writing. I can’t really put a word count to this.
- Write a mini-memoir. This would look like the “My Name is Hope” piece from The House on Mango St. In 500 to 750 words, write a mini-memoir about your name. This too is a creative option.
- Write a mini-report. This would rely heavily on the found information. It’s not that this is not creative–you can deliver information creatively, but it does not need to be structured the same way that a memoir might have–that relies heavily on words meant to create images. Again, 500-750 words.
Finally, using this Word Art Website (wordart.com) enter words from you project and from your analysis and create a word art image to accompany your final product and analysis. Save it as a .PDF and then print it out to include with your final project.
How you will Be Evaluated for this Project
This project, as are all of the mini-projects, is worth 10% of your final grade. In order to earn a “B” for that 10% you must:
- Include the final product of your choice, include your analysis, include your raw data, and include your word art on the day it is due.
- Come to the workshop with a draft of your final product.
- Serve as a good workshop partner to whomever you read.
- Write the in-class reflections on the workshop and turn in your workshop plan with your final materials.
In order to earn an “A” for the 10% you must
- Include all of the work you need to do for the “B” grade
- Produce an analysis that thoughtfully and meaningfully addresses the question and considers what we’ve talked about in class in terms of what we inherit and what it means to know your or think you know your heritage.
In order to earn a “C” for the 10% you must
- Include the final product of your choice, include your analysis, include your raw data, and include your word art on the day it is due.
If you fail to earn the “C” grade you will fail this 10% of your final grade. Remember, as well, that not completing a mini-project will affect your final grade for your final project/porftolio.