Assignment #1: "My Culture"

Think about what makes up your culture: ethnic heritage, family rituals, food, music, neighborhood, religion, activities/interests, art, style of dress. What is your culture? Your assignment is to write a personal narrative about yourself and your personal culture.

Refer to the questions below in considering your culture. You do not need to answer each and every question (as though you were writing a “list”), but your piece needs to be a thorough and complete examination. You need to think hard and be specific.

Heritage:
Where do my biological parents’ come from?
Where do my adoptive/ “real” parents come from?
What do we do that is carried over from our ethnic heritage? (food, holidays, rituals at holidays, arts/crafts, etc.)
Food:
What do I eat that says something about who I am?
Are there special foods that are served in my family?
Are there special/specific foods that I eat with my friends?
What did I eat at Christmas/Hanukah? Thanksgiving? For my birthday?
Music:
Is music important to me?
What genre of music do I listen to?
What social group listens to this type of music? (Skaters, Rednecks, Preps, Jocks, Stoners, etc.)
Does the fact that I like this music make me a part of a specific social group? If so, what group?
What does this type of music make me feel? Why do I like it?

Neighborhood:
Is there a name for my neighborhood? (Laurelhurst, Garden Home, 82nd, etc.)
Who are my neighbors?
Is my neighborhood “rich,” “poor,” “middle class”? How else could I describe it?
If a visitor from out of town came to our street, what kind of neighborhood would they see?

Religion/Spiritual Beliefs:
Do I consider myself to be part of a religion? If so, which one?
What activities am I involved in because of my faith?
What are my beliefs, and how do show up in my life?
Is my family religious, or do they participate in any sort of faith-based activities?

Activities/Interests:
What do I like to do?
Do my activities involve other people? Who do I do stuff with, and how would I describe the groups I’m involved in?
Art:
How does art play a part in my life?
Do I create art? What does it say about who I am?
What art do I see around me? What does it say about my culture?

Style:
What is my personal style of dress?
What does the way I look say about my culture?
Am I part of a group that dresses in a similar style?

ASSIGNMENT SPECIFICS

What: Your assignment is to write a personal narrative about your own culture.

It can be in either first, second, or third person.
You must turn in both a first and second draft for credit.
It should be 3 to 5 pages long, typed, double-spaced.
Your piece must have a title that is relevant to the piece.
Remember to “show, don’t tell.” Use similes, metaphors, and dialogue.
Use the assignment to write a creative piece of work.

Due:
First Draft: Wednesday the 7th
The final draft will be due subject to my finishing revising/grading your rough drafts.