Coburn 1

Addison Coburn

Professor Isabell Garcia

English 134

15 January 2024

Popped Fears

Growing up, I was never the best reader. Reading in my own time and in my own space felt so

relaxing... imaginable, while reading out loud in front of a crowd is a different story. Having the Commented [JR1]: Really good intro but maybe add a
slightly more captivating hook to grab the readers attention.
thought of everyone surrounding you, waiting for the stuttering words to come out of my mouth

once my name got chosen, is such a nerve-racking and uncomfortable feeling I never enjoyed.

Every time Mrs. Johnson, with her curly hair and floral dresses, announced, “Let’s do some

popcorn reading,” my heart would plummet to my stomach. I was a master of invisibility, Commented [JR2]: when there is a new person speaking
start a new paragraph.
blending into the beige, nondescript walls of our classroom, but popcorn reading was my

Achilles’ heel. It was like playing a game of Russian roulette, but with words instead of bullets. Commented [JR3]: I love this method of description

It was a sunny Wednesday, the kind of day where the sunlight poured into the classroom like

golden syrup. The scent of Expo markets mixed with the faint smell of school lunches filled the

room. The sound of squeaky shoes and the occasional cough echoed around the room as I walked

in. Mrs. Johnson, her cat-eye glasses perched on her nose, announced with a beaming smile,

“Popcorn reading time!”. A collective groan echoed through the room, but I could swear my

groan was the loudest and most desperate. I was sitting there, my hands clammy, my heart

pounding like a drum at a rock concert. The anticipation in the air was palpable, thick as

molasses. The book felt like a brick in my hands, a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. The

words on the page blurred together, a sea of black and white.

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The reading started, words bouncing around the room like a wild pinball game. “Popcorn,

Elliot,” Reagan said, her voice steady. The spotlight shifted to Elliot, his freckled face turning a

shade of pink. He read his passage with a surprising calmness and then...

 “Popcorn...” he paused, his eyes scanning the room and finally landing on me. “Popcorn,

Addison”.

My heart felt like it was trying to escape my chest. I started reading, my voice shaky and

uncertain. I stumbled over a word, “hippopt...hippopotamus.” The room erupted in laughter. My

face turned as red as my ginger hair, but I pushed through, determined to finish my passage. I

could hear a few snickers, but I kept going. I finished my passage, relief washing over me like a

cool ocean wave. “Popcorn, Sarah,” I said, passing the torch.

The school year progressed, and so did our reading skills. Popcorn reading became less of a

dreaded activity and more of a welcomed challenge. I was growing, not just in height, but in

confidence too. The words that once seemed like insurmountable mountains were more mere

molehills. I stumbled less, read more, and even began to enjoy the process. Commented [JR4]: This highlights your growth
throughout the year so well
I remember the day when Mrs. Johnson announced a new twist to our popcorn reading routine.

She introduced a new book, thicker and more intimidating than any I had seen before. But

instead of the usual gasps of fear, there was an air of excitement in the room. I was ready to take

on this challenge. The book was “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” by C.S. Lewis. The

words were bigger, the sentences longer, but I was undeterred. I had dived into the magical

world of Narnia, one popcorn reading session at a time. Each day was a new adventure, a new

journey. I was no longer just a student in a classroom, I was an explorer in a fantastic world.
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As I read, I grew. I grew in confidence, in courage, and in understanding. I learned about

friendship, bravery, and sacrifice. I learned that words, no matter how big or small, were just

that- words. They help no power over me unless I let them.

The day we finished the book was a day of celebration. I had conquered the biggest fear and

challenge I had to face and emerged victorious. I was no longer the same nervous kid who

dreaded popcorn reading. I was a reader, an explorer and adventurer. Commented [JR5]: Maybe expand more on how this
change in attitude effected your life in other ways besisdes
Looking back, I realize that popcorn reading was more than just a classroom activity. It was a literacy.

journey, a journey of growth and self-discovery, taught me to face my fears, to step out of my

comfort zone, and to find joy in the unexpected. It was a lesson in resilience, in courage, and in

the power of words. It was a testament to the fact that we can overcome our fears, no matter how

big or small, if we face them head-on. And so, I am forever grateful to Mrs. Johnson and her

popcorn reading. It was more than just a part of my school life, it was a part of my growth, my

journey. It was the first step in a lifelong love for reading, a love that continues to this day. And

for that, I am forever grateful.

This narrative is rich with detail and tells a moving story. I love the descriptive words you

utilized. I like how you show your progression as the year goes by. One thing you could add onto

the narrative is some of the larger ways this change effected your attitude in general.