geography of self story. adventure. meaning.
STORY
To be human is to love stories. In stories, we see ourselves, learn about our world and learn how to make our way in it. Fortunately, you don't have to be old to tell a life story. You've already had story-worthy experiences that have shaped who you are becoming.
READY...
For this project, you will be telling a story of you. Read Sandra Cisneros' two short sketches from The House on Mango Street, titled "My Name" and "Marin". Notice how Cisneros captures intricate details about both herself and her friend Marin in these short pieces.
Using the ideas below, choose something of importance to who you are and create a digital story. Think about what experiences and beliefs have served to create the person you are today, and explore that in writing.
SET...
Here are some ideas about what to write about. Choose one and brainstorm the details in writing.
What is the story of your name?
Why do you have the name you do?
How do you feel about your name?
What is the meaning of your name, and what does it mean to you?
What is your earliest memory?
What feelings come attached to that memory?
Who's hovering outside of the scene? Where do you think your mom/dad/sister/brother were at that moment?
Can you remember any vivid sensory images from this event? A smell, a taste, music, something you saw?
Why do you think you remember that particular moment, and not something from the day before or the day after?
What are your keenest interests?
Can you trace the birth of those interests?
Was there a person who inspired you to become interested/involved?
How does it feel to do these things?
How are you different from your parents?
How are you alike?
What do you like about them and about yourself as it relates to them?
How are you different from who you were five years ago?
If the kid who was you five years ago showed up in your room for a day, what would you do with her or him?
What would you tell him or her?
What things did you believe when you were younger that you know now to be wrong?
What beliefs have grown stronger, and what events have helped them to strengthen?
Where you ever unjustly accused of something you didn't do?
Did you ever do something you shouldn't, and not get caught?
What did you do in those situations, and how did you feel about your actions?
How do you feel about the situation now?
What's the most trivial thing that, for some reason, is a big deal to you?
Do you know why?
If you could relive a single day, which day would it be?
If you could erase a single day, what day would that be?
Think about your reasons for choosing this day, and explain them.
Capture as many details as you can about the day, choosing strong adjectives, nouns, and verbs to describe it.
GO...
Try to capture the power of Cisneros' writing in your own as you craft a 250-word story of you. After you have a rough draft, use Notability to incorporate images, video, audio, or any other digital embellishments to bring your story to life.