Assignment #2:

Snapchat Narrative and Analytical Essay

Context:
We have begun studying narrative and will be reading a number of examples of
narratives that deal particularly with space, place, absence, and perspective. We have
begun to discuss the key elements of a narrative, namely: significance, temporality,
voice, and sensation, and we will analyze the ways these elements are at work in the
narratives we encounter in order to ultimately determine the effectiveness of narrative
and medium in conveying experiences in a way that breaks down the single story.
Purpose:
This assignment will build upon your critical thinking and analytical skills as you
construct your own narrative using the digital medium of Snapchat. Engaging in analysis
of this narrative, you will break down the key elements of your video/photo narrative in
an essay that contextualizes your work among the narratives we have read in class and
that seeks to answer the question: Do digital technologies like Snapchat allow us to
more fully express and understand experience? More specifically, do these technologies
help us create narratives that defy the single story?
Process:

You will begin by choosing a location to visit. This should be a space to

which you have never been and should offer a variety of experiences
to engage in within the space (e.g. museum, park, beach, etc).
While in the new space, engage with it in as many ways as possible.
Try to capture the experience of the space as fully as possible with
Snapchat. Think of your Snapchat video series in terms of narrative
description: incorporate all the senses and as many vivid details as
possible.
***Note: you will need to save the snap chat videos in order to send
them to meyou can save your whole story from the experience and
send it the day you turn in your paper***
Once youve done your field work and created your Snap story, you
can get to work on the paper. The paper must break down the
elements of your Snap story in terms of what we have learned about
narrative. How does your Snap story illustrate these qualities? How
does it illustrate them in comparison with other mediums of narrative?
You must also contextualize your story with at least one
narrative we worked with in class. You must cite specific
examples of this narrative to demonstrate the connections you
make between it and your Snap story. Be sure to explain the
connections you make through bringing these two different types of
narrative together. Why did you choose this narrative for context?
Does your Snap story allow for fuller narrative expression? If so, in
what ways? Why do you think this is the case?

Finally, and most importantly, you will address the questions I raised
above: Do digital technologies like Snapchat allow us to more fully express and
understand experience? More specifically, do these technologies help us create
narratives that defy the single story? Why and how do they do this? Why is this
important? **Be sure to cite Adichie if possible here**
** Be sure to begin with a guiding thesis that Contextualizes your Snap

story with another narrative and narrative qualities overall, that

addresses the specifics of your Snap story, and that makes a claim
about the larger significance of this move in terms of narrative method
(answers the questions raised in the prompt)**
**MLA format, 12 pt font, double-spaced, Times New Roman font**
Due Dates:
10/25Peer Review drafts due
10/27Snap story submitted before class and Final Version of your
paper due in class