How to Write a Literacy Narrative (with Examples)

A literacy narrative is a form of free writing that brings life experiences into account.

-Literacy is defined as “the ability to read and write” (www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literacy) and individuals never achieve literacy by themselves, there is always an external influence that helps individuals attain literacy. How we obtain and display literacy is dependent upon society, individual backgrounds, experiences, motivations (where and how we grew up and what we want out of life and literacy). As literate individuals, we never enter into reading and writing activities alone, there is always some external issue, person, structure, standard, history, or belief system affecting our literacy.

-Professor Deborah Brandt developed a name for these external factors: sponsors of literacy or literacy sponsors (en.wikipedia.org/Sponsors_of_Literacy)

Using Professor Brandt’s literacy sponsorship theory, you’re going to reflect upon your own dynamic literacy history and recall examples in order to create your own narrative about obtaining literacy.