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Justin Mitchell
Professor Lynn Raymond
University Writing 1103
September 18, 2015
Literacy Narrative
A Lifelong Process
Thinking about how ink print or letter marks on a page can create so much emotion and
imagery, its such a powerful thought. The art of writing itself is powerful. Although I dont
enjoy writing as a hobby, I feel that I can write well. From a very early age I began developing
my literacy skills. This began the ever-changing process of developing into myself. My family
was a great role model for this, especially when it came to taking education seriously. Learning
came natural to me because I had so many fun toys that taught me skills while I was enjoying
playing with them. I guess you could say they tricked me into learning. As I grew up there were
integral parts to me developing myself as a reader and as a writer. It started with my family
while I was little and transitioned into education, which finally matured into professionalism.
Three years old may seem early for a child to begin learning thing like state capitals, but
not for me. I remember watching video tapes of myself playing with a little educational toy
called a LeapPad. It was tons of fun from what I remember, and it taught me letters, numbers,
early reading techniques, and yes, state capitals also. According to Instructor Web, kids dont

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start learning about state capitals until around third grade (Social Studies - State Riddle Lesson
Plan). So I guess you could say I had an early start. Along with countless hours of fun education,
my parents would read to me every night when I was little. My favorite book was the Dr. Seuss
title Go, Dog, Go! by P. D. Eastman. I enjoyed this part of my childhood so much. I think it was
the comfort along with the aspect of being read to that made it so nice. Over time, with my
parents help, I would be able to read right along with them at night. This was like the ground
floor of the skyscraper that was me learning to read. All throughout my room as a kid, I was
surrounded by books. Whether it was a small picture book, interesting chapter book, or an
informative encyclopedia there was always something for me to read. I actually liked reading
more than most kids my age that I knew. I believe that most of that interest came from my
mother. Shes a college mass communications professor, so she was always reading. Waiting at
the mall, on the road during vacation, or at night on the couch reading is one of her hobbies.
With her as a role model, it was easy for me to pick up on some of the same skills. She enjoys
reading informative books and biographical works. This influenced what I enjoy reading. It
peaked my interests in works that have a lot of facts. If the topic is interesting, I enjoy getting
new information. Seeing her enjoy it so much made me so much more appreciative of reading.
Education has always been important in my family. Going all the way back to my great
grandparents, someone in each generation was an advocate for literacy. Therere many teachers
in my family so I was always checked on when it came to doing well in school, and I did do
well. My parents would let me write actual letters to my family to let them know how I was

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doing. People in my family have worked for the NAACP, an organization that helps African
Americans around the country. One of their main focuses is literacy. Through this organization
and my familys support, I developed good reading and writing skills that have shaped me into
the successful person I am today.
With age comes maturity for most people, and thats what I experienced around my
senior year. I was put to the test when it came to applying to colleges, for jobs, and for
scholarships. Starting around my junior year I applied for a job at my YMCA. I was an
afterschool counselor. I was in charge of watching and playing with the kids in the program. I
had to put in my application and work on my communication skills for the interview. I had to
catch up on my SAT vocabulary and do mock interviews to enhance my professionalism. With
college applications, there were countless essays. Charlotte actually was not my first choice. I
wanted to get into NC State because of how close to Raleigh it was, but I didnt get in
unfortunately. I had about 5 different schools that I applied for. This took up most of my
summer! The admissions office wanted something that showed them who you were as a person
and why you would contribute to their college. Knowing this, I had to learn to describe myself in
detail and show my personality through words and expressions. I was learning more about
myself over and over again almost in the same way that Rosaleen from Secret Life of Bees had to
practice rewriting her name over and over to get it right. Kidd writes moving her hand in little
loops like she was writing her name Rosaleen Daise just the way shed practiced (35). I
changed my style of writing and became more descriptive and realistic. I liked to write about I
think that this was a big part of shaping myself as a writer.

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Over my life so far, Ive changed so much. Learning to read and growing as a writer is a
long process which actually isnt over just yet. Its funny how a small education toy influenced
me so much to get me started with working on my literacy. Kids now can easily learn anything
they want to. They have the technology and all the resources they need. According to NYMag,
forty percent of kids use an iPad regularly before they can even talk. With the tools we have now,
the learning process should be as smooth as ever. I know that having something to kickstart me
helped shape me a great deal. This process will continue throughout my life as I get older and
experience even more from different perspectives. I can see how much little things from my
childhood affect my literacy now, and which habits have stuck with me and which havent.

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Works Cited
Kidd, Sue Monk. The Secret Life of Bees. New York: Penguin, 2003. Print. Pg. 32
Lange, Maagie. "Study: 40 Percent of Kids Use IPads Before They Can Speak." The Cut. NYMag, 28
Oct. 2013. Web. 20 Sept. 2015.
"SOCIAL STUDIES - STATE RIDDLE LESSON PLAN." States, Capitals Social Studies Lesson Plan,
US History Elementary Lessons. Instructor Web, 2004. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.