My Journey towards Literacy Narrative Literature & Language Essay

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My Journey towards Literacy Narrative
I can still vividly recall my first encounters with literacy works that made me love reading and, eventually, developing skills in writing. While I read widely from different literary genres, I preferred poems. My favorite poets were Maya Angelou, Emily Dickinson, Robert Lowell, Elizabeth Bishop, and Allen Ginsberg. I was attracted to their literary works because of their unique and relatable approaches. The authors employed a simple style of writing and the ability to capture everyday phenomena with satire, sarcasm, and humor (Conley 21). As a result, they communicated themes such as love, dilemma, corruption, and immorality in a way that made the reader flipping through the pages. I first encountered these authors in the school library. I loved to visit the library whenever we had no classwork. Sometimes, I would sneak into the library during games time since I never liked to mingle with other students. I also read the authors’ works online, and gradually I became hooked to their literary works. I believe they shaped my English competency and language skills. From infancy to adult—pre-elementary times to college years—I have developed enormous skills in writing. My mother always told me that I am very good at expressing myself verbally, which made most people believe in my words. My father was the one who helped me to get out of my shell. He took me with him to community assignments, group meetings. Although school enabled me to sharpen my reading and writing skills, I am convinced that my parents and friends also played a significant role in boosting my confidence and help me discover my talent.  
The school provided me with the opportunity to access the library from where I did extensive reading and writing. Initially, I had my fears of integrating into the school as I was an introvert. Introverts are people who cannot easily open up to others. They feel uncomfortable in crowded spaces (Graham and Harris 337). I wondered how I was going to pass the time and derive happiness in a large institution, teaming with hundreds of students from various neighborhoods. For a moment, I was lost in a sea of humanity, uncertain of my future. I still remember my first instances of being in a big, whitewashed school. I was shy and isolated myself from the pupils who were loud and bubbly. I never participated in sporting activities, which at some point, worried my parents. I was always anxious and nervous to mingle with others. However, I had my passion—collecting books and reading. 
My favorite book is “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou. It is among the most celebrated poems Angelou wrote. Published in 1978, she underscores the importance of beauty, strength, and resilience that black people continue to demonstrate even after many years of discrimination and oppression (Conley 39). I spent my free time under a tree next to the corner of the field where other pupils played, reading and updating my daily journal. Not only did it help me to kill time, but it also enabled me to practice a reading culture, I still apply to date. It was a refreshing way of escaping the noisy world around ...