Contemporary Cultural Moments Through Personal Narrative
A Research Activity
Project Overview
In this collaborative research project, you will explore how contemporary authors use personal narrative to examine Contemporary Cultural Milestones, post September 11, 2001. Working in groups of 2-3, you will select a post-9/11 author who blends memoir with social commentary, analyze their techniques, and compare their effectiveness to Nick Flynn's approach in "The Ticking Is the Bomb."
Learning Objectives
By completing this project, you will:
- Analyze how authors use personal experience to explore politically or culturally relevant themes
- Evaluate the effectiveness of different narrative techniques
- Compare and contrast authorial approaches to similar subject matter regarding cultural milestones
- Create multimedia presentations demonstrating literary analysis skills
Part 1: Author Selection and Research
Choose ONE author from the following list (or propose another with instructor approval), who addresses major post-9/11 cultural moments through personal narrative:
Recommended Authors
(you should use excerpts from novels, not the whole thing, or essays they have written)
Economic Crisis & Social Change
- Matthew Desmond - "Evicted" (housing crisis through personal stories)
- Barbara Ehrenreich - "Nickel and Dimed" (economic inequality through lived experience)
- J.D. Vance - "Hillbilly Elegy" (Appalachian culture and economic decline)
Technology & Social Media Culture
- Sherry Turkle - "Alone Together" (technology's impact on relationships)
- Jaron Lanier - "You Are Not a Gadget" (digital culture critique)
- Zadie Smith - "Feel Free" (essays on digital age culture)
Immigration & Identity
- Jose Antonio Vargas - "Dear America" (undocumented immigrant experience)
- Tara Westover - "Educated" (rural American identity and education)
- Ocean Vuong - "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous" (immigrant family narrative)
Climate Change & Environmental Crisis
- Annie Dillard - "For the Time Being" (environmental and spiritual crisis)
- Terry Tempest Williams - "The Hour of Land" (national parks and environmental policy)
- Bill McKibben - "Falter" (climate change through personal lens)
Social Justice & Civil Rights
- Ta-Nehisi Coates - "Between the World and Me" (race in America)
- Roxane Gay - "Hunger" (body image and trauma)
- Janet Mock - "Redefining Realness" (transgender experience)
Part 2: Analysis Requirements
Your analysis must include:
1. Basic Information
- Title and author of selected work
- Publication date and context (what is the occasion, what has prompted the writing?)
- Brief summary of the work's main themes
2. Figurative Language Analysis
- Identify and analyze at least THREE examples of figurative language
- Explain how each example enhances the author's message
- Connect figurative language to the work's larger themes
3. Narrative Technique Comparison
- Compare your author's approach to Flynn's methods
- Analyze effectiveness of different techniques
- Evaluate strengths and weaknesses of each approach
Analysis Framework: DOK-Style Questions
Use these questions to guide your analysis:
Level 1: Recall & Reproduction
- What personal experiences does your author share?
- What specific foreign policy events or decisions are addressed?
- How does the author structure their narrative?
Level 2: Skills & Concepts
- How does your author blend personal experience with political commentary?
- What narrative techniques does the author use to engage readers?
- How does the author establish credibility and authority?
Level 3: Strategic Thinking
- Why might your author have chosen personal narrative over traditional political analysis?
- How effective is the author's use of personal experience in making political points?
- What are the ethical implications of the author's approach?
- How does your author's background influence their perspective?
Level 4: Extended Thinking
- How does your author's work contribute to broader conversations about American foreign policy?
- What are the long-term implications of the issues your author raises?
- How might your author's work influence public opinion or policy decisions?
- Compare the lasting impact of your author's work versus Flynn's approach.
Presentation Options
Choose ONE format for your final presentation:
Option 1: Digital Presentation
- Create a 10-15 minute multimedia presentation using slides, audio, video, or interactive elements
- Include visual representations of key themes and techniques
- Incorporate relevant images, maps, timelines, or infographics
Option 2: Creative Project
- Develop a creative response (short film, podcast episode, art installation, etc.)
- Include written artist's statement explaining your choices
- Demonstrate understanding through creative interpretation
Option 3: Research Poster
- Design a large-format poster presenting your findings
- Include visual elements, quotes, analysis, and comparisons
- Prepare to present your poster to the class
Option 4: Interactive Website
- Build a simple website showcasing your research
- Include multimedia elements and interactive features
- Provide clear navigation and engaging content
Evaluation Criteria
| Criteria | Exemplary (4) | Proficient (3) | Developing (2) | Beginning (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content Knowledge (40 pts) | Demonstrates exceptional understanding of selected authors' work with sophisticated analysis of themes, context, and cultural significance. | Shows solid understanding of the authors' work with clear analysis of main themes and cultural context. | Shows basic understanding of the authors' work but analysis lacks depth. | Shows minimal understanding of the authors' work. Analysis is superficial or inaccurate. |
| Figurative Language Analysis (15 pts) | Identifies and analyzes multiple examples of figurative language with sophisticated explanations of how each enhances meaning. | Identifies and analyzes at least three examples of figurative language with clear explanations. | Identifies some figurative language examples but analysis is basic or unclear. | Identifies few or no examples of figurative language. Analysis is minimal or inaccurate. |
| Comparative Analysis (25 pts) | Provides thoughtful, detailed comparison of selected author's techniques to Flynn's approach with nuanced understanding. | Compares the author's approach to Flynn's methods with clear analysis. | Makes basic comparisons between authors but analysis lacks depth. | Minimal or unclear comparison between authors. |
| Presentation Quality (15 pts) | Presentation is highly engaging, creative, and professionally executed with excellent use of multimedia elements. | Presentation is well-organized and engaging with effective use of chosen format. | Presentation shows effort but may lack organization or engagement. | Presentation is poorly organized or difficult to follow. |
| Collaboration & Process (5 pts) | Exceptional teamwork with clear evidence of equal participation and effective communication. | Good teamwork with evidence of shared responsibility. | Basic teamwork but may show uneven participation. | Poor teamwork or individual effort only. |
Resources for Research
Primary Sources
- Author interviews and biographical information
- Reviews and critical responses to selected works
- Author's own commentary on their writing process
Secondary Sources
- Literary criticism and academic articles
- Historical context about post-9/11 cultural moments
- Comparative studies of narrative literature
Multimedia Resources
- Author readings and lectures (YouTube, literary websites)
- Documentary films about post-9/11 cultural moments
- News archives from relevant time periods
Reflection Questions
(To be completed when the project is finished)
- How did your understanding of post-9/11 American culture and society evolve through this project?
- What surprised you about your selected author's approach?
- How might personal narrative influence public understanding of cultural moments and milestones?
- What questions do you still have about the relationship between literature and cultural milestones?