Narrative Models

Aboukhadiejeh and Romero’s narratives provide unique insight on sharing educational experiences. Although one narrative is focused on building a skill out of interest and the other focused on a life-style changing experiment provoked by curiosity, both tell their accounts in a similar format. Although Romero’s piece is slightly more formal and Aboukhadiejeh’s more personal, both are able to connect with the reader and share their experience thoroughly.

                These two accounts start out by describing their ignorance to the subject and reasoning for pursuing it. This is something that can be modeled in our own narratives. It is difficult for the reader to understand the effect of the educational experience if they do not know what the person was like beforehand. Each writer takes the reader through the process of their experience, through breakthroughs, short comings and interesting side notes. They continue to lead the reader right up to the present and describe what they have gained from the experience and what they plan to do with the new information they have obtained. This basic format can be applied to most narratives describing an influential experience.

                Although both articles have a similar format, they are differently intentioned. While Romero’s main goal is to increase awareness to virtually all consumers, Aboukhadiejeh has a smaller target audience; seeking primarily to encourage people interested in computer programming. The articles were authentic and personal; however, the authors also thought about what readers would gain from it. Often when writing about a personal topic, writers forget to think about how the reader will interpret it and do not consider its understandability. While it is important to stay authentic in one’s writing, one must also consider the desired effect on the reader.

                While Romero and Aboukhadiejeh’s articles are somewhat informal, there is much to pull from them to use in our own writing. They balance authenticity with a desire to connect with the reader. Both accounts are easy to understand and intriguing to read. Every educational experience is different and the style in which students tell them will be unique; however, the format used by Romero and Aboukhadiejeh is certainly one to keep in mind and model in our own essays.