UNIT 1: Place-Based Narrative Writing and the Argument
Place-Based Narrative Writing and the Argument
Ana Zalyubovskiy
In this unit students explore and practice narrative as a foundation for rhetoric, the art of persuasion. Introducing some of the foundational topics within the Ecology of Place theme, the work includes representative narrative essays that invite questions about natural and urban spaces and our place within them. Although narration may also play a part in more formal argumentative essays, the readings and other media in Unit 1 are especially applicable to using primarily narration as the mode of discourse and will be helpful models for studying narrative technique and eliciting discussion. Themes include environmental justice, climate change, animal cognition, indigenous knowledge, geography’s effect on people, and the benefits of spending time in nature.
Unit 1 Readings
Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi: “The Danger of a Single Story,” TEDGlobal, ted.com, July 2009. (Video: 18:34 min.)
Cooper, Christian. It’s a Bird. Represent 2020 (Click link to search title and download a FREE copy).
Lopez, Barry. “The invitation.” Granta 133, November 18, 2015.
Lopez, Barry. “A Literature of Place.” Portland Magazine, Summer 1997.
Mason, Ron and Charles Massey. “Holding Up the Sky.” (Excerpt) Granta 153, November 19, 2020.
Shiva, Vandana. “Everything I Need to Know I Learned in the Forest.” Yes! May 3, 2019.
Rafeyenko, Volodymyr. “Signs of an Approaching War.” Granta. granta.com. London, UK, July 28, 2022.