The Five Characteristic Features: Literacy Narrative Options

Literature has changed my life in many instances. There are three that specifically touched my heart. The first one involves a book that my mother gave me and how I rediscovered it one day. I could incorporate the five characteristic features easily in this memory. The event involved me finding the book ones day, most likely escaping a chore. It happened at the top of my stairs, next to a book shelf when I was about twelve years old. To include descriptive details, I could describe the soft texture of the book and the muted green walls. I could describe the comforting feeling it gave me. The point of view would be first person (since the story is about me). Most importantly, I could easily the stories importance, as it shows how memories of childhood can bring one relief.

The second event is probably the most significant. If I were to write my paper about this, I would explain how my mother gave me a letter at a church event, explaining  her worry for me, as I had been suffering from OCD symptoms. I would give vivid details and continue to describe my setting as I went on to say how I went to the dark stage steps and proceeded to read  that truth-telling, encouraging letter, also explaining more about the event. I will be telling most of the story (first person), but when I directly reference the letter, it will be from my mothers point of view. The purpose of this story will be manifested as I describe the courage the letter gave me and the admiration I felt for my mom at that time. It will show that mothers, though sometimes firm, can help us through our hardest struggles.

Lastly, I could write about a book that one of my youth group leaders gave me. I would describe the setting by mentioning that I got it when I was fourteen, on a Sunday at church. I could also explain that I opened it when I got home, where my emotions were free to flow. I would describe the situation by specifying that it was one of my youth group leaders that gave it me, and that she wrote letter on the inside comforting me, as I had been going through a hard time in my life. I would provide good details like talking about the peace that enveloped my heart as I read the letter and book. I could describe the stiff brown paper that wrapped the book. I would be telling the story most of the time, so it would be in first person. When I would quote the letter then it would be from my leader, Sister Tracy's, perspective. I would put a small summary at the end saying something about how that little gift and thoughtful words made a bi difference for me as can other, small, kind deeds. This leads to the important, life-changing theme, that "by small and simple things, are great things brought to pass" (The Book of Mormon: Ether 12:27).