Autobiographical Essay on Vivid Memory of Literacy

Write a short autobiographical essay (about 300 words) describing one or more of your most vivid memories of reading, writing, or storytelling—in any language, in any genre, for any purpose. In other words, describe a vivid memory of literacy.

Use this memory as an occasion to reflect more broadly on the role language and literacy have played in your life. To do this, you might engage some or all of the following questions: What types of reading, writing, and/or storytelling were used in your home or community growing up? What languages, dialects, and/or styles? What views about language use and literacy did your family or community hold? What aspects of these experiences are most important to how you see yourself right now—as a student and as a person? Finally, consider the possible relevance of this question. Why does the Writing Program ask you to reflect on this? How might it relate to how they want you to think of yourself and what they consider relevant knowledge.