Personal Narrative Essay
The second essay of the semester will be a personal narrative essay. The goal of this essay is to learn how to effectively illuminate one specific part of ourselves by telling a story. More often than not, when we are asked to talk about ourselves, we tend to gloss over important details and speak in generalizations. In this unit, students will utilize the elements of a narrative (plot, characters, setting, tone, dialogue, and theme). The students will focus on telling a story with a specific exigence for a purpose (scholarship prompt, college essay, job application/interview, or personal catharsis).
Brainstorming: Writing prompts, Quick-fire journaling, Narrative brainstorm blueprints, TARPS, Outline, Narrative map, student example evaluation.
Drafting: Students will draft an essay that utilizes the elements of a narrative working within a word count constraint that the prompt requires OR a goal of 900 words.
Revising: Self-revision will involve a focus on sentence variety, character development, focus on relevant details, and "showing" versus "telling."
Proofreading: Focus will be on pronoun agreement, organization, and keeping a focus.
Publishing: As writing is a process, these essays are always welcome to be re-submitted AFTER the student has a conference with Ms. O.
Brainstorming: Writing prompts, Quick-fire journaling, Narrative brainstorm blueprints, TARPS, Outline, Narrative map, student example evaluation.
Drafting: Students will draft an essay that utilizes the elements of a narrative working within a word count constraint that the prompt requires OR a goal of 900 words.
Revising: Self-revision will involve a focus on sentence variety, character development, focus on relevant details, and "showing" versus "telling."
Proofreading: Focus will be on pronoun agreement, organization, and keeping a focus.
Publishing: As writing is a process, these essays are always welcome to be re-submitted AFTER the student has a conference with Ms. O.