“My Name” Essay/Presentation DUE: Tuesday, September 6, 2015

TOPIC: “My Name” MODE: EXPOSITORY—a type of writing in which the purpose is to inform, describe, explain, or define the author’s subject to the reader. ASSIGNMENT: Write a 500-word essay (refers only to body of essay) incorporating research from at least three different sources, one of which must be an interview. REQUIRED ELEMENTS: 500 words, typed, MLA, Works Cited page, in-text parenthetical citations

UNPACKING THE ASSIGNMENT: In order to be successful on this assignment, what will you need to know or know how to do? Make a list of the skills and knowledge you will need.

Among other things, I will need to know: What my name means Why I received my name Where to look to find information How to conduct an interview How to structure my essay How to grab my reader’s attention quickly How to cite parenthetically How to set up a Works Cited page

“My Name” by Sandra Cisneros: Read “My Name” and 1) underline interesting lines/ phrases, 2) use metacognitive markers, and 3) make a list of the questions the piece answers

METACOGNITIVE MARKERS As we read, mark the text using the following symbols: ! = interesting information * = connections with the text ? = questions inspired by the text

DISCUSSION What are your thoughts about the text. Did you like it DISCUSSION What are your thoughts about the text? Did you like it? What did you find interesting? What do you learn about the speaker?

TIMED WRITING: What are your thoughts about your name TIMED WRITING: What are your thoughts about your name? What do you know about it? Do you like it? Do you know your story? Have you ever considered changing your name? If so, to what? Would you pass it on?

THE INTERVIEW Given that the essay must include an interview, how does one conduct an interview properly?

INTERVIEW PHASES PHASE 1: Background research PHASE 2: Narrow focus

In this case, the specific focus of your interview is your name.

So as to learn the proper approach, we will conduct a sample interview So as to learn the proper approach, we will conduct a sample interview. So what do you know about the process?

INTERVIEW PROTOCOL. Seek permission first. Research your subject INTERVIEW PROTOCOL Seek permission first. Research your subject. Request permission to record. Avoid “yes” or “no” questions. Ask follow-up questions. Thank your subject.

Oh, and to help ensure that this practice is effective, you will be responsible for completing a ½ page write-up of our interview. It may be helpful to imagine that this write-up will take the form of a magazine article.

That means that I do not want you to simply list questions and answers That means that I do not want you to simply list questions and answers. Q: What is your name? A: Ms. Mathers Q: What do you do? A: I am a teacher. Q: Do you like my write-up so far? A: No, I do not. Blah, blah, blah. Boring. Even when it is about me.

How do I write in-text parenthetical citations How do I write in-text parenthetical citations? After you use the information—whether quote or paraphrase—simply write the interviewee’s last name inside parentheses at the end of the sentence.

PARAPHRASE: He said baseball was always his favorite sport (Bench) PARAPHRASE: He said baseball was always his favorite sport (Bench). QUOTE: “Baseball was always my favorite sport” (Bench).

How do I cite an interview for my Works Cited page. Bench, Johnny How do I cite an interview for my Works Cited page? Bench, Johnny. Personal interview. 12 September 2017.

SO HOW DO I GRAB MY READER’S ATTENTION SO HOW DO I GRAB MY READER’S ATTENTION? There are a wide variety of techniques for catching your reader’s interest when you write up your interview. These are some of the easiest and best: 1) Begin with an interesting quote 2) Begin with a startling statistic 3) Begin with an interesting or unexpected fact 4) Begin with an engaging description of the subject

That said, We will now conduct a sample interview as a class.

…of me

This interview is for practice and will not be about my name This interview is for practice and will not be about my name. It will consist of two phases: 1) The first phase, which will function as our research phase, will involve general questions, and will give you the opportunity to identify the specific subject for the actual interview (my life, job, hobbies, interests, family, whatever). 2) Once we reach the second phase, as a class, you will identify a subject for the actual interview based on previous questions. We will then conduct the interview.

PHASE 1: During this phase, you may ask me about my life, job, hobbies, interests, family, whatever. The purpose of this phase is to identify a specific topic for PHASE 2.

PHASE 2: Given the questions we discussed in Phase 1, now identify a specific subject for further investigation. You will need to take notes during this phase, since you will be completing a write-up.

Now that you have completed the sample interview, take a few minutes to write a short article about me based on the notes you took.

Now that we have conducted an actual interview, what is our takeaway Now that we have conducted an actual interview, what is our takeaway? What have we learned?

IN TERMS OF RESEARCH, WHERE SHOULD I LOOK IN TERMS OF RESEARCH, WHERE SHOULD I LOOK? Try looking up your name online. Some great resources include: www.babynames.com www.howmanyofme.com www.ancestry.com Baby name books work great, too!

So whom should you interview?

Think about it. Who would be helpful. 1. whoever named you 2 Think about it. Who would be helpful? 1. whoever named you 2. your namesake (if applicable) 3. someone else with your name

What questions should you ask?

Go back and look at “My Name” by Sandra Cisneros Go back and look at “My Name” by Sandra Cisneros. What questions does this piece answer?

Some sample questions to get you started: Who named me Some sample questions to get you started: Who named me? Why did I receive my name? Are there naming traditions in my family? What does my name mean? How do I feel about my name? Would I change my name? Why? To what? Would I consider passing on my name? Has anyone else in my family had my name?

Among other things, WE SAID WE need to know: What my name means Why I received my name Where to look to find information How to conduct an interview How to structure my essay How to grab my reader’s attention quickly How to cite parenthetically How to set up a Works Cited page

ONE LAST THING… Public speaking is a huge fear for a lot of people ONE LAST THING… Public speaking is a huge fear for a lot of people. The only way to help with that is what we call exposure therapy.