Personal Narrative Assignment
Senior English
Mrs Alana Haughaboo
Assignment Description
This first writing assignment includes several steps to encourage the thought processes necessary to write a personal narrative that is both thoughtful and complete. A major part of this first assignment is to encourage you to follow the outlined steps and provide documentation of those steps along the way.
Writing Topic
Choose a “playlist” of three songs that remind you of different feelings or experiences. You will create a vignette for each of these songs. A vignette is a short descriptive piece of literary writing. In each vignette, you will tell a story about the song’s significance to you. Here are a few ideas:
· A song that reminds you of your childhood or family
· A song that reminds you of someone special
· A song that reminds you of a place you like to go
· A song that makes you feel happy
· A song that you think is really cool
· A song that you hate
· Your favorite song right now.
· A song that makes an important social statement
· A song that reminds you of your friends
Remember to reflect. This assignment is asking you to reflect on people and experiences in your life using short vignettes.
Instructions:
1. Format your page according to MLA Format
2. Your first paragraph should be an introduction paragraph introducing yourself and previewing the stories in the collection of vignettes.
3. The second, third, and fourth paragraphs should have a heading of the song title and performer’s name.
4. Start each vignette (paragraphs 2-4) with a brief quote of the lyrics and end each one with a strong, thoughtful sentence.
5. The last paragraph will provide a conclusion that finds a common theme from all three song stories.
Page Setup
(starting at the top of the page, of course)
Your Name
Mrs. Haughaboo
Senior English
Due Date
Personal Narrative
My life has been impacted by some extraordinary people. None of them are famous, but I my life would not be the same without them. My family, my friends , and some special students that live in my memory inform who I want to struggle to be. (Continue on here)
Dave Matthews Band. “Stay.”
“For a moment this good time would never end/ You and me/ You and me/Just wasting time…” Patrick was a friend of mine, but really more like an acquaintance. I met him my sophomore year in college at Auburn after he had already graduated and moved to Atlanta to work. A group of my girlfriends planned a trip to see Dave Matthews Band at Turner Field a semester before I was going to graduate and when my sister had to cancel at the last minute, Patrick bought her ticket. I guess the rest of it is history… (you will finish your story, but I am stopping to save space.)
Coldplay. “Viva la Vida.”
“I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing/ Roman cavalry choirs are singing…” I love Coldplay because their music is so great and Chris Martin is such an excellent performer. This song means a lot to me for a different reason: it reminds me of Nick Sawyer. Some of you knew him and unless you just moved to town, everyone knows about the tragic accident that took his life. He went to St. John’s Episcopal Church—my church—and I knew him to be a friendly kid, a child of God. He came to my room to warm up a Hot Pocket in my microwave one day after school and our conversation began with, “Mrs. Haughaboo, didn’t you just love church on Sunday?” What kind of kid says that? Nick did.
John Mayer. “Daughters.”
I have two daughters…
After the three vignettes, write a conclusion paragraph with a reflective statement that brings all three stories together to tell me something about your influences, interests, and dreams for the future.
Format
o Make sure the heading is correct.
o Do not underline, quote, or bold the title.
o Make sure it is in Times New Roman 12pt regular font.
o Make sure the paper meets the length requirement (2-3 pages, typed)