The Narrative Stage 

 
What is the purpose of the University of Kentucky now? What are the University of Kentucky’s obligations 
to you as a student and to the broader community? Does it matter that the University of Kentucky is a 
public, land-grant institution vs. a private institution? These are questions that we have been considering 
this semester and, fortunately, questions which great minds here at our university have considered.This 
assignment is designed to explore both how members of our community have created narratives in 
answer to this question, using classical narrative rhetorical analysis, and how you can engage an 
audience of your peers with these narratives. 
 
The Narrative 
Choose one of the following narratives​ o ​ r propose your own: 
Seedtime in the Commonwealth​ - a poem by Frank X. Walker 
Interview with Wendell Berry, January 3, 1993​ (1:02:43-1:33:42 suggested) - an oral history 
Cox on new role as VP for land-grant engagement​ - a UK “Behind the Blue” Podcast 
APLU Interview with UK President, Eli Capiluto​ - a YouTube interview 
 
Components of Narrative Invention  
In the narrative that you have chosen, identify the 9 components of narrative invention: 
Recognition, reversal, suffering, agents, action, time, place, manner, cause  
List each component separately with clear identifications. Then under each component, justify each 
component in 1-2 sentences. If one of these components does not appear in your narrative, write 2-3 
sentences, speculating why this component might be missing. 
 
Paraphrase 
In your own words, rewrite the narrative in 250-500 words, making sure that you maintain all 9 
components of narrative invention (as applicable). This paraphrase should not look like the list that you 
did for the components but sound like a clear, fluid story. 
 
Variation 
Using your components and paraphrase, reformat your narrative in a different digital medium that you 
think other university students would enjoy and use. Feel free to take cues from the other choices of 
narratives! Changing the sequence of events and/or wording from your paraphrase is a must, considering 
your new audience, but again you must keep all 9 components of narrative invention and use 250-500 
words. (You may definitely borrow from the paraphrase.) 
For example: 
● Create a gallery of memes using each component of narrative invention  
● Create a Instagram post or Twitter thread telling your narrative 
● Create a series of TikTok videos themed around your narrative and/or components 
● Record a short mock interview/oral history of your narrative 
● Propose your own digital medium!  
NOTE: You do n ​ ot ​have to make your variation publicly accessible. Only I need to see it. 
 
Reflection 
Write a 250-300 word reflection on how you adapted all 9 components of narrative invention to your new 
format and why you chose your digital medium for UK student 
 

The Narrative Stage Grading Rubric 

 
The Narrative (10 pts.) 
● 10 pts. for choosing one of the suggested narratives or proposing one to the instructor 
 
Components of Narrative Invention (40 pts.) 
● 18 pts. for identifying each component of narrative invention 
○ 1 pt. for completing each component (x9) 
○ 1 pt. for clarity of each identification (x9) 
● 18 pts. for justifying each component of narrative invention 
○ 1 pt. for 1-2 sentences of justification for each component (x9) 
○ 1 pt. for persuasiveness of justification for each component (x9) 
[4 pts. for 2-3 persuasive sentences of justification for each missing component] 
● 4 pts. for formatting 
○ Sentences are complete and understandable. 
○ Each component is clearly marked. 
○ There are no typographical errors. 
 
Paraphrase (50 pts.) 
● 18 pts. for including each component of narrative invention 
○ 1 pt. for marking each component (x9) 
○ 1 pt. for fluid application of each component to paraphrase (x9) 
● 18 pts. for including all relevant information to the paraphrase 
○ The paraphrase should not leave out any information that is important to the narrative. 
● 10 pts. for meeting word requirement (250-500 words) 
● 4 pts. for formatting 
○ Sentences are complete and understandable. 
○ Each component is clearly marked. 
○ There are no typographical errors. 
 
Variation (50 pts.) 
● 20 pts. for showcasing your narrative on an engaging digital platform for UK students 
● 15 pts. for varying the sequence of events and/or wording from the paraphrase 
● 10 pts. for meeting word requirement (250-500 words) 
● 5 pts. for formatting 
○ No major errors in grammar or spelling for your audience 
○ An extra point in this section to account for your potential public audience :) 
 
Reflection (50 pts.) 
● 20 pts. for persuasive explanation of digital medium choice 
● 15 pts. for persuasive explanation of how you adapted all 9 components of narrative invention 
● 10 pts. for meeting word requirement (250-300 words) 
● 5 pts. for formatting 
○ Sentences are complete and understandable. 
○ Each component is clearly marked. 
○ There are no typographical errors.