For this paper, you will use May’s text as a lens with which to analyze one of the target texts in addition to a narrative you will compose.
Background: In his article, “The Stories We Tell Ourselves,” Todd May suggests all stories are
infused with values, make claims, and establish character. In short, May asserts that narratives
are essentially rhetorical in nature. He claims even the most everyday stories are intended to
persuade others to perceive us in a certain way––to make us seem funny, honest, adventurous,
or strong. In other words, according to May, narratives perform identity, create a perspective,
and often draw on familiar, pre-existing narratives. Interestingly, May also contends that
stories can sometimes trap us. We have also read about several cultural narratives surrounding
a variety of topics, including addiction, gender, race, and the COVID-19 pandemic. In this way,
the stories we tell ourselves can not only apply to us as individuals, but to us as a nation.
Prompt: For this paper, you will use May’s text as a lens with which to analyze one of the target
texts in addition to a narrative you will compose. Put another way, you have the option to
generate your own target text for analysis.
Details: Your narrative could be a story you tell about yourself, one told by people you know, or
one that has played a role in your family. Your story could discuss some aspect of your life
during the pandemic, your experience of racial justice protests, or some other topic. Include a
section reflecting on something the story does––how it persuades, creates a perspective, builds
a persona, or helps make sense of something significant. A personal experience might consist
of conversations, things you read, or events you witnessed over the past year. If you are
recounting a cultural narrative, you might delve into what this narrative reveals about our
society’s values. Include thoughts reflecting on how this narrative has impacted you or someone
or something you care about. For example, you might decide to write about a pervasive cultural
narrative perpetuated in popular media that has resonated with you in some fashion. As a third
option, you may analyze a second target text.
Answer preview for For this paper, you will use May’s text as a lens with which to analyze one of the target texts in addition to a narrative you will compose.
MLA
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