Personal Essay

Essay Format:

  1. Introduction: The introduction should include an attention getter which hooks the reader and introduces the topic of personality traits. It should also include a thesis statement which contains the two attributes the writer will include in the paper.
  1. Body Paragraphs: The essay will include two body paragraphs . Each body paragraph will discuss a different personality attribute, meaning that you will discuss two personality traits in detail throughout the paper. The body paragraphs will follow the 11 sentence paragraph format. Each body paragraph should include 3 concrete details and 6 sentences of commentary.
  1. Conclusion: The conclusion shouldinclude commentary, explaining how your attributes could affect you in real world situations.
  1. The essay should be typed, double spaced, in a 12 pt. plain font.
  1. Include an MLA Heading formatted left flush, double spaced at the top of the paper as follows:

Student Name

English I Pre-AP

Teacher Name

05 September 2012 (Date)

  1. Include a title underneath your heading. The title should be unique, centered and the same size font as the rest of your paper.

Personal Essay Rubric

ELABORATION:

Concrete Details (3 minimum for each body paragraph) (18 – 3 points each)

18Excellent; the paragraphs are very well supported with excellent concrete details

15Good; the paragraphs are very well supported with relevant concrete details

12Fair; the paragraphs are somewhat supported with few concrete details

8 Poor; the paragraphs are unsupported with little to no concrete details

Commentary (2 minimum for each concrete detail) (36 – 3 points each)

36Excellent; the paper is very well developed with excellent commentary

30Good; the paper is well developed with relevant commentary

25 Fair; the paper is somewhat developed with minimal commentary

18 Poor; the paper is underdeveloped with little to no commentary

ORGANIZATION:

Introduction(5)

5Strong; hooks the reader and prepares the reader for the writer’s focus

4 Good; may not be as catchy but prepares the reader for the writer’s focus

3 Weak; very short or fails to communicate the writer’s focus

Transitions (4)

4 Excellent; truly contributes to the effectiveness of the paper

3 Good; adequately flows from one idea to the next

2 Weak; interferes with the presentation of ideas

Topic Sentences(1 for each body paragraph)(6 – 3 points each)

6 Excellent; fully establishes and prepares the reader for the purpose of the paragraph

5 Good; adequately prepares the reader for the purpose of the paragraph

3 Weak; does not prepare the reader for the purpose of the paragraph

Concluding Sentences (1 for each body paragraph) (6 points each)

6 Excellent; effectively concludes the paragraph

5 Good; adequately concludes the paragraph

3 Weak; does not conclude the paragraph well

Conclusion(5)

5 Superb; paper comes full circle; reader is not left hanging

4 Good; relates to paper, but doesn’t come full circle

3 Weak; leaves reader hanging

CONVENTIONS(10)

10 Excellent spelling, capitalization, apostrophe usage, subject-verb agreement, etc.

8 Occasional errors in spelling, capitalization, apostrophe usage, subject-verb agreement, etc.

6 Many errors in spelling, capitalization, apostrophe usage, subject-verb agreement, etc.

ELEVATED VOCABULARY (10)

10 Excellent; diction/word choice is vivid and descriptive

8 Good; diction/word choice is accurate – uses everyday words well

6 Weak; diction/word choice is vague, confusing and/or repetitious

Personal Essay Grade:

Comments: