The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

COL 101-03

Short Write 3 Assignment (due by class next Tuesday, 11/28)

Campus Read— Relating your story to William’s

Requirements:

        • a single-page (300 words minimum) response to the Prompt in bold below

        • your response will be submitted as a paper proof

        • use 12-point simple font, double line space, 1-inch margins

        • include your name and the course number and section number at top of page.

 Evaluation and grading:

        • The assignment is worth 10% of your course grade; compare the rubric below to the Grading Scale.

         • Points are distributed and earned according to the following rubric:

≤ overall quality of response and prose (college-level thinking and writing), abut 70% of this assignment grade

≤ attention to form (usage) and compliance with requirements, about 30% of this assignment grade

≤ late or incomplete work has additional effect on the overall grade

Overview:

You need to write a reflective response to the Prompt below.  But first, here are some things to consider about the book:

In the epilogue to The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, William Kamkwamba reflects on the accomplishments of several impressive and influential figures: "All of these stories are so inspiring to me.  Even when my classes become difficult and I find myself discouraged, just being around them helps me continue.  And I wonder just how many others like us are still out there struggling on their journey" (285).  Now imagine that you’re in William’s role and that, from your perspective, he is in the position of the heroes listed on page 285.  Ask yourself, how does William’s story inspire or deeply affect you?

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind gives us a multi-faceted story and allows us to see many admirable qualities in William: his creativity, his Christian humility, his persistence, his love for his family, his zeal to learn in subjects ranging from language to the sciences, his desire to pursue a freer life for the people of his community, his desire to connect Malawi to the rest of the world and vice versa.  And his story can be divided into a number of smaller stories, including the story of his education, that of his family’s survival, that of how a windmill was built against the odds, and that of the development of his community.  Even if you have trouble relating to some aspects of William’s story, you should be able to find some aspect that speaks to you.