10H Personal Narrative

10H Personal Narrative

Similar to the examples we have read in class, you will connect a personal experience with research to craft a personal connection to something in the world.

First choose a memory that has some significance. This assignment is specific, so rather than thinking about phases or general life experiences, focus on a specific moment, a small amount of time, maybe a day or even an hour. The less time the event covers, the more you will be able to explore the details within the event. These details will provide the context of the research you will conduct. If you need to provide background information, so your readers understand your event better, choose to employ some form of flashback, so your focus can remain on the single event.

After you decide on a moment, explore a connection to the greater world. Take this opportunity to learn more about your own experience. Find at least two resources that give you additional information. You will turn in the citations for these resources as an additional assignment because personal narratives do not typically include works cited pages. These sources should be directly related to your story in an obvious way. You will need to include some information from each source in your narration. You will clearly refer to your sources (not exactly a convention of personal narrative, but we are still in high school and are avoiding plagiarism) within your text but will not include MLA formatted internal citations.

Finally, think about narrative elements. You are telling a story after all. Consider the climax of your story; it can help you determine which details/conflicts to include. The climax can also help you choose a purpose. Having a purpose can tie the threads of your story together for your audience; it acts as an organizing principle. The details you include should help readers understand your purpose. Remember other elements of story telling: dialogue, setting, details, etc.

Then write your essay.This paper should be in MLA format: typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, and 1 inch margins (remember the header). It should be at least 4 pages long and not more than 6.

Due Dates: Draft for Peer Review due at the beginning of class. Please bring one copy of your draft. It must be printed and at least approaching 3 pages to get credit. Without a draft for peer review, your final paper will reduced by 25% (so if it is perfect it can only get a C), and the draft will be a missing assignment. If you have your draft, you will the get 10 points for a regular writing assignment. You may not request extensions for drafts of papers. If you are absent, you will need to show me the draft and conduct a peer review outside of class for the points associated with the draft (and to avoid the deduction).

Final draft due .

10H Personal Narrative Rubric

Name:______

Grade / Criteria / Comments
/15 Content/Style / Clarity and focus, unity, originality, concrete language, good use of detail
/10 Organization / Clear purpose, effective introduction and conclusion, logical/natural flow of ideas, smooth transitions, details lead to the climax of the story
/10 Audience Awareness / Uses a tone and structure appropriate for the purpose and is easy to read
/10 Literary Elements / Include literary elements to help you tell your story: plot arc, dialogue, setting, character development, etc.
/5 Mechanics / Punctuation, spelling, grammar, syntax, sentence structure, MLA formatting
Total out of 50

10H Personal Narrative Rubric

Name:______