Attached.

Survivor Narrative: Surviving Disaster and Critical Incidents
Description: By this point in the class, you will have learned about disasters that have affected
communities around the world. This assignment presents an opportunity to learn more about the
experiences of Survivors and to consider what variables may have impacted that experience.
Note: This should not be a narrative of your personal experience with a disaster, though you may refer to
your own experience very briefly in the context of the paper if it illuminates the narrative you are sharing
in a substantial way

Steps to completing the assignment:
Step one

Decide on a particular disaster event (through research, experience, or something
you’ve heard about in class or through the media). This event cannot have taken place
more than 20 years ago.

Step two

Gain some understanding (through some nominal research) about this precise event.
You might delve a little further into how events like this one impact people more
generally (e.g. is it an Earthquake? A Tsunami? A terrorist incident? A plane crash?).
Each type of event can have different consequences. Keep in mind that every event is
unique and every individual experience is unique, though some patterns do exist when
looked at the population-level.

Step three

Utilize web and scholarly research to identify articles, videos, radio broadcasts,
interviews, etc, to learn about the event and hear Survivor stories. Spend at least 3
hours viewing, taking notes, and gathering information. You should not be relying only
on print text. You may not use Amanda Ripley’s book The Unthinkable as a source.

Step four

Think about the story the Survivor is telling, and drawing from lectures on Common
Reactions to Trauma and the two chapters in your textbook devoted to the subject, try
to identify the expressed needs and/or outcomes of individual stories. You may zero
in on one or two stories, as it might not be easy to find Survivor stories or interviews.
But you need to listen to or watch at least one. Take notes. 1) What makes those
experiences & reactions generalizable (as commonly seen reactions), and 2) and also
unique (based on that person’s own history, risk factors, or whatever you can actually
glean from the story). Try not to project your own fears or your own experiences onto
that of the Survivor. In fact, aside from minor reflective comments, try to keep all of
your focus on the understanding of the Survivor experience for that event.

Step five

Look through your notes and/or listen to the story again. Take note of emergent
themes that are raised in the conversation, i.e., the emotional reactions given the
nature of the event (positive? Negative?); coping styles or strategies; emotional
changes over time; access to resources; financial burdens; bereavement or loss; etc.
and take note of how and when these themes come up. Use these themes to provide
structure to the Discussion portion of your paper. What can you bring to this situation

and analysis? What have you learned so far in the course to inform your view of this
individual’s narrative?

Structure of the Paper:
Introduction
Background

Methodology

Discussion

Conclusions

Introduce your paper: The disaster you are writing about, the Survivor story you are
going to tell, and the overarching lessons learned that you want to introduce
Briefly describe the event (or kind of event) and its typical impacts on the quality of
life (including emotional state) of individuals and/or communities. Do not let this
section dominate your paper.
Simply state what methods you undertook to further understand the event, and
how & where you found specific Survivor stories. Where did you get your research
material? What key words did you use, etc.
This is the meat of your paper and your opportunity to shine. Provide your
interpretation of the Survivor’s story. It is okay to include direct quotes from the
individual as long as you introduce them. It is also appropriate to include body
language or tone of voice. Be selective with your material by only including
information that best illustrates this person’s experience. Indicate any themes you
identified. Compare these to “Common reactions” and make some linkages
between some of the things we have covered in class or was covered in your
reading. Make an attempt to explain and distill the Survivor’s experience and
reactions. I want to see what you have learned so far and what YOU, the scholar,
can bring to the table.
This is obviously your grand finale. Conclude with what you have discovered about
the impact of this kind of event on a single individual, but also what makes this
person’s reactions unique to him or her. What key points can we learn from this
person’s story?

Important Notes:
Writing Style: Remember to keep your writing clear and concise. Eliminate anything that is superfluous
to the story you are focusing on. PLEASE seek out assistance or proofreading help if you don’t think your
grammar or writing is strong.
Format: This paper must be written in Times New Roman, 12 point font, single spaced, & 2-3 pages, not
including any references you might have.
References: Include each and every reference you used, including YouTube videos and media clips. Be
sure to include a minimum of 5 references and sources. Use APA Style to write references. (See APA
Style Guide).

Rubric: Total of 20 points:
Quality of the content and
material used

5

Quality, richness of research and content. For example, did
you rely on good quality source material? How thoroughly did
you research this topic?

Synthesis of Narrative &
Research

5

Quality of your own analysis in
Discussion & Conclusions
Format & Structure of the paper
Grammar

5

References & APA –format
citations

1

2
2

How clearly do provide background, context, and outline the
research that has been done on this topic/source material
and what conclusions have been drawn. Tell me what you
have found in a succinct and clear way.
What can you bring to the table? What observations can you
make based on your understanding of the subject?
Is this paper clear, concise and carefully organized?
Grammar is very important for your writing! If you are
unsure, make sure you have others review and edit your
writing.
This includes citations & references and whether they are
cited properly (APA style


Running head: SURVIVING DISASTER AND CRITICAL INCIDENTS

Surviving Disaster and Critical Incidents
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Date

1

SURVIVING DISASTER AND CRITICAL INCIDENTS

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Surviving Disaster and Critical Incidents
Hurricane Maria is defined in...