English 102 Living History Interview Service Learning Option

Living History Interview Assignment—100 points possible + karma bonus

Due: Monday, June 2, 2011, Peer Editing Day, Thursday, May 26, 2011

This Service Learning Option gives us the opportunity to offer meaningful help to our communities while at the same time learning to write even more confidently. Here are the steps to follow:

ðYour interview must take place after Thursday, May 12, 2011. The subject whom you interview must be at least two generations older than you. In addition, to receive the special karma bonus, the subject must be living in an assisted living center or its equivalent.

1. Before your visit, review the sample Living History Interview to get a general sense of your objective. You will find another student example in our Course Packet, pp. 82-84.

2. Marcie Lee, the coordinator at Riverview Retirement Community, has around ten residents who would really love a visit from you. Please see me if you need help in making arrangements to visit. Also, please feel free to visit other retirement centers. If the coordinators need confirmation of this assignment, let me know and I will be glad to call them to verify that this is a college writing project. Please interview the person in a common area only!

3. Begin the interview by introducing yourself to your interviewee and explaining the assignment.

4. Be sure to get background information—full name (spelled correctly), early history—age, birthplace, etc. Also, be sure to note your subject’s present surroundings and quality of life. You might also note your subject’s general appearance, demeanor.

5. Focus your interview questions on three or four specific events in your subject’s life rather than asking for a general account of his or her life. To do this, you might ask what were the biggest surprises, most memorable moments and events, good or bad, etc. If your subject begins to ramble a bit, gently bring the focus back to specific events. Be sure to take notes. Be sure to record memorable quotations. Be sure to ask questions if you need clarification.

6. Use the either the Oberland or the Baker examples as a pattern to organize your write-up. Note that the sample begins with brief biographical information and a brief description of interviewee’s surroundings. It then uses the three specific life experiences to organize itself. The conclusion brings the reader back to the present.

7. Write a rough draft of your interview. Use past tense and narrative format. Change paragraphs when you change events. Keep quotations to a minimum. Your opening paragraph should introduce the person, set the scene of the interview, and briefly describe the person’s current living situation. Follow my sample interview if you need a model.

8. Bring your rough draft to the peer-editing class for help.

9. Using your revisions and your peer-editing group’s input, create a final copy and submit it by the due date.

10. Perhaps share a copy of your write-up with the subject when the assignment is completed. It would be best to hand-deliver the copy, but we can mail it using school stationery if a second visit would be a problem. Be sure to get a correct address.

11. Most importantly feel good about yourself and enjoy the experience because you are bringing joy and acknowledgement to another who may have been feeling a bit marginalized.