Imagine yourself as the coordinator of a literary parade consisting of every author studied in World Literature I. Write a narrative-descriptive essay, telling a story about the parade and using vivid details that appeal

Creative Writing: Parade of Writers        

Purpose: To produce a creative writing narrative that depicts authors studied in World Literature I as participants in a literary parade, each riding on their own float.

Due Date/Time: See the syllabus. If the instructor modifies the due date, pay attention to her Canvas communication.

Method of Submission: Upload your work to the designated Canvas assignment link in Microsoft Word doc or docx format.

Length requirement: 1000-1500 words, double-spaced in Times New Roman, 12-point font

Goals: The goals of this assignment are to:

1.     Demonstrate understanding of important themes in the lives and works of authors studied in this course.

2.     Employ creativity by writing about a literary parade of writers featuring each author discussed in this course.

3.     Exercise critical thought.

The authors’ list includes Mewlana Jalaluddin Rumi, Mahmoud Darwish, Cynthia Dewi Oka, Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, Wole Soyinka, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Jamaica Kincaid, Derek Walcott, and Dante Alighieri.

Assignment Description: Imagine yourself as the coordinator of a literary parade consisting of every author studied in World Literature I. Write a narrative-descriptive essay, telling a story about the parade and using vivid details that appeal to your audience’s senses. 

Your essay should include the following:

1.     Title – Short, creative phrase (two to five words) that hints at the deep themes or symbolic meaning of your essay 

2.     Introduction (one paragraph/7-8 concise sentences) – Open with a hook, a catchy idea that grabs the reader’s attention. Identify the theme of your parade. Discuss the purpose of your parade, which should specifically reflect what you hope to accomplish as the parade coordinator. Describe the setting, or location of your parade, and explain why you selected this particular space. Provide a thesis statement, a single sentence that shows the main point of your narrative and gives readers a preview of the experience awaiting them. Imagine your readers as people who will be watching the parade.

3.     Body (nine paragraphs/one per author, 100-150 words per paragraph)– In the first body paragraph, explain which author is serving as grand marshal (the one who will appear first in the parade). This is a person who is given the honorary job of leading a parade because they are considered particularly important or prestigious. Tell why you selected this author as grand marshal. Describe the vehicle or float the grand marshal will ride in (or on). Your description should be relevant to the author’s life and themes seen in their writings. In the remaining eight body paragraphs, describe each author’s vehicle or float – again, emphasizing relevance to their individual lives and themes in their writings.

4.     Conclusion (one paragraph/5-6 concise sentences) – DO NOT USE “IN CONCLUSION” OR ANY OTHER TRITE EXPRESSION. Instead, lead in with a

creative sentence that reinforces your thesis statement. Reiterate the key points expressed in your body paragraphs. In your final sentence, aim to leave a lasting impression on your readers.

Style and Persona:

●      Voice – Remember that you are the parade coordinator, so speak to your audience as though you planned the event!

●      Tone – Since this is a creative writing assignment, you can display informal writing approaches. Usage of the first and second person point-of-view, contractions, informal words, and other relaxed techniques are appropriate. However, all “violations” of conventional standards must clearly be intentional.

●      Show. Don’t tell. – Don’t use language from the assignment sheet. Instead, be creative, and incorporate examples that make your readers feel as though they are actually at the parade. Bring your story to life by using sensory descriptions that connect to the five human senses:

1.     Sight (Visual): Colors, shapes, light, and shadows.

2.     Sound (Auditory): Noises, volumes, and pitches.

3.     Smell (Olfactory): Scents and odors.

4.     Taste (Gustatory): Flavors like sweet, sour, or bitter.

5.     Touch (Tactile): Textures, temperatures, and pressure.

For example, where “sight” is concerned, your word choices should help readers see the authors, what they’re wearing, what they’re doing, and how their floats look. This means your readers should feel drawn to any part of your story that uses the other four senses.

Grammar/mechanics: You need proper transitions, unity, and coherence. Any “violations” of conventional standards must clearly be intentional.

MLA Format: Your essay should be double-spaced in Times New Roman/12-point font. You need headers on all pages, consisting of your last name and page number, in the top, right corner of the page. On the first page, you need a four-line heading at the top right, consisting of your name on line one, my name (Professor LaWanda Dickens) on the second line, ENG 105-100 on the third line, and the date (day month year) on the fourth line. For additional information and an example of how your paper should look, see this link: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/ml a_general_format.html

Since this is a creative writing assignment, do not cite sources, and do not include a Works Cited page. This means that all ideas should be your own, based on what you learned in this class. If you plagiarize or use AI, your grade will be a zero, and you might be subjected to further action under JSU’s Academic Dishonesty policy.

See the grading rubric on page 3 for an explanation of how you will be evaluated.

“Creative Writing: Parade of Writers” Rubric