Vignette Project
Objective: The goal of this project is to create a narrative comprised of a series of vignettes. Each vignette will stand on its own as a distinct fragment, but collectively, they will achieve unity by relating to the central theme of your identity.
Rules/Guidelines for Composition:
1. For content, refer to the specific directions for each vignette. The idea is to be authentic. Maintain minimum word counts as listed for each vignette.
2. For conventions, you have latitude to use spelling and punctuation that is reflective of a personal and perhaps unconventional style. You must do two things with such changes: (1) maintain consistency and (2) be understandable to your audience (which is me).
3. For form, the final product must be typed and revised. You may, however, self-select a format (font, size, margins) that suits your tastes. Again, staying accessible to your reader is important. Adding pictures or art is encouraged.
4. For language / style, slang, colloquial expression, and obscenity (within reason) are permissible. The idea is, again, to be authentic, but not excessive for show. You should ‘speak’ throughout this piece in a language that emphasizes the voice of your everyday speech rather than formal written English.
The Vignette Topics: (Provide an original title for each vignette in your paper!)
1. Cover Page (10pts): Create a cover page that represents you with its choice of pictures, color, fonts, art, etc. A picture of you and your name must be present. One idea might be to include pictures of you at different ages up to the present. Title your project on the cover page.
2. First Vignette (25pts): Write a descriptive passage detailing your home, how you got there, what you like/dislike, what you would change. Is culture or tradition a part of your home? Use a variety of well-considered tone words that reflect how you feel about your home. Use plenty of imagery & sensory details. Pictures welcome. Avoid flat description. (250+ words)
3. Second Vignette (25pts): Describe a scene where all members of your immediate family are present. Name them. Is there any significance or special meaning to the names in your family? Give each member of the family an identity by using figurative language (metaphors and similes) to depict all of them, including you. Pictures welcome. (250+ words)
4. Third Vignette (25pts): Write a story about an incident in which you experienced something embarrassing to you. Incorporate some elements of “storytelling truth” in the narration. Include a second copy of the story that boldfaces the embellishments. (250+ words)
5. Fourth Vignette (25pts): Write a story that characterizes your relationship with one or both of your parents. This is NOT a long-term description of your relationship with your parents. It is a story about a specific incident that shows something about your relationship. (i.e. a fight or something special that you did together) Pictures welcome. (250+ words)
6. Fifth Vignette (25pts): Ekphrasis: a poem inspired by a work of art or image. Write a free verse poem that is inspired by a visual image, either a painting, a picture, or an ad. Include the image. (100+ words)
7. Sixth Vignette (title it “Requiem”) (25pts): Write a reflection on your attitude towards finishing/leaving high school. When you graduate, what emotions do you think you will experience? Are you ready to move on to other things? How do you know? What are your fears and hopes? (250+ words)
8. Resume/Cover Letter (20pts EACH): Create a cover letter & resume for yourself set roughly ten years in the future (age 28-30). Starting with the fact of your graduation from Strath Haven, create a (hopefully) realistic background for yourself on a resume, along with a cover letter that expresses your interest in some particular job or position that you envision yourself pursuing. Microsoft Word has built in templates for both cover letters & resumes. Other templates are available for free on-line.
Key
1. Descriptive Passage: You are simply describing something/someone, not in the context of a scene or a story.
2. Scene: You are creating a mental picture with words. Think of a scene as a setting without a plot, story, or point.
3. Story: You are telling a story about an incident that contains a setting and a plot with action and resolution.
*Write honestly and sincerely. Your privacy will be maintained.
Name: ______
Vignette Project Scoring Rubric (attach to the end of the final draft)
Writing Standards:
1. Content:
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2. Conventions:
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3. Language / Style:
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Score: _____ / 200