Storytelling can be a potent tool in spreading awareness about a social or moral issue. Thus, in “Crossing over from advocacy to narrative”, Samantha Power (2007), aims to focus readers’ attention on the issue of genocide. Using the example of this work, conclusions can be drawn about how to write a story advocating for environmental justice. Moreover, it will contribute to gaining an understanding of such concepts in future work as the protagonist, narrative, and plot.
Power’s book is an instance of how a literary work can help raise public awareness on a problem of concern to the author. She talked about how she is gradually moving from academia, advocacy, and activism, which she adhered to raise the issue of genocide (Power, 2007). In addition, the author asked several questions at once about how to build a narrative correctly to achieve the most significant effect. She thought about how to avoid anachronism in cases when most people already have a specific idea about the problem (Power, 2007). Moreover, it is essential to understand how to create an exciting story about what has not yet happened. Furthermore, Power made it her task not to introduce herself as a moralist. The author writes that “Handing the story over to my characters was key. A writer should develop a strong voice, but not one that rises to such a pitch that it distracts readers” (Power, 2007, p. 283). Thus, hese questions can become a guide on how other authors can build their books in order to use them as a tool to effect change for an environmental issue.
The importance of this problem lies in the fact that environmental problems require particularly close attention. Human activity, in particular, has a detrimental effect on negative climate change. This makes it necessary to find ways to raise awareness among the population about this issue. Thus, based on the experience of Samantha Power, you can realize how to do it with more productivity and efficiency.
Regarding the key points from the Power’s thoughts, it is necessary to provide an updated idea of the problem being raised. This is due to the fact that environmental justice is a topic about which there is already a large spread among the population. However, by examining the literary sources, it is possible to isolate aspects that may require an updated view and improvement. The moral component can be conveyed with the help of the main protagonist of the story. He or she must adhere to basic moral principles in order to avoid regulating the morals of others. In addition, when talking about something that has not yet happened, it is important to show readers what kind of outcome current conditions can have. Hence, with the help of plot and narrative, the author can represent what outcomes can happen and how to touch environmental justice.
In conclusion, books can become an effective tool for spreading awareness about the problem. Samantha Power uses this method to raise the issue of genocide in a society where people already have knowledge about it. Moreover, the author examines the issues of morality and novelty, which also contribute to the success of the written story. Therefore, the principles of Power can be applied when creating a literary work about environmental justice and to such fundamental aspects as the protagonist, narrative, and plot.
Reference
Power, S. (2007). Crossing over from advocacy to narrative. In Kramer, M. & Call, W. (Eds.), Telling true stories: A nonfiction writers’ guide from the Nieman foundation at Harvard University (pp. 281-285). Plume.