Narrative Analysis – Jada Smith
Melissa Perez Pino Miami Regional University English Composition I June,06,2025 Application 6: Narration – Content, Structure, and Style
Application 6: Narration – Content, Structure, and Style
Outline of Lessons from the Narrative (30 points)
Thesis Statement:
Jada F. Smith’s narrative explores how family stories—especially those passed through oral tradition—serve as powerful records of resistance, pride, and identity, even when public history attempts to erase or sanitize the truth.
Body 1: The Power of Oral History
Family stories, like those about Auntie Jean, preserve truth where public records fail.
These stories carry emotional weight and cultural knowledge.
Oral traditions act as resistance against historical erasure.
Body 2: Shaping Identity Through Family Legacy
Smith feels pride and connection to civil rights activism through these stories.
Personal encounters with family memories deepen her understanding of history.
Auntie Jean’s courage helps Smith see herself as part of a lineage of strength.
Body 3: Conflict Between Public History and Personal Memory
The newspaper article omits crucial details (e.g., gunshots).
This reveals how official history can misrepresent events.
Smith realizes the importance of preserving her family’s version.
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What is the main purpose of Smith’s narrative?,
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How does Smith create a mental picture of the roller rink scene?,
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What does “History is written by the victors” mean in this context?,
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What is the author’s style and its impact?,
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What lessons are conveyed in the narrative?
Assignment Summary and Response:
You have successfully completed Application 6: Narration – Content, Structure, and Style, using a clear thesis, organized body paragraphs, and detailed question responses. Here’s a concise evaluation of your submission components:
Thesis Statement Evaluation:
Strong and clear. It defines the central idea that oral family history is essential in preserving truth and identity.
Body Paragraphs:
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Body 1 – Oral History: Clearly establishes how oral traditions offer an emotional and cultural counter-narrative to sanitized public history.
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Body 2 – Identity and Legacy: Connects personal family stories to broader themes of civil rights, pride, and self-understanding.
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Body 3 – Public vs. Personal Memory: Effectively highlights discrepancies between official narratives and lived experiences, reinforcing the story’s theme.
Question Responses:
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Purpose of the Narrative: Well-articulated. Emphasizes the value of oral history and its influence on identity.
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Scene Visualization: Detailed and sensory-rich. Captures the tension and emotional complexity of the roller rink moment.
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“History is written by the victors”: Insightfully explained, tying the quote to historical distortion and the value of firsthand accounts.
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Author’s Style: Accurately characterized as conversational and emotionally resonant. The style makes the story relatable and memorable.