Final Project
Sanders
Senior Autobiography Project
Congratulations, Seniors! While some would tell you that you are almost ready to step out into the world and
make your mark upon it, I would tell you that you have already made your presence known to the world. Great
accomplishments and some disappointments are in the past and there will be more of each to come. The time has come
to reflect on where you’ve been, who you are, and what you may become.
You are about to embark on writing your autobiography which will count as a major portion of your final grade
for the class. Follow these directions to write, assemble, and publish your autobiography. Some items are required,
while other items will allow you to choose which ones you wish to include. Minimum Requirements: Your final product
MUST BE TYPED OR WRITTEN IN INK; it must be bound (scrapbook, homemade book, binder, three-pronged cover,
etc. See rubric for scoring). You cannot wait to work on this the night before it is due. There will be in-class work days
to write, but most of the publication process should be completed outside of class. Make these your best writings yet.
Neatness and creativity counts.
DIRECTIONS:
1. Title and Cover page (25 points): Your autobiography requires a title. Be creative and original. Do not use “My
Autobiography” as your title, as that is neither creative nor original. Save this step for last and let your writings
provide the title for you. Your cover should include your selected title, your name (the author!!), and an illustration appropriate to your book. For illustrations, consider a word pattern, graphic design, collage, original
drawings, photographs, magazine pictures, quotations, etc. Use rubber cement or a glue stick to mount items.
Also include:
a. If using someone else’s art, please give credit to the artist.
b. Date of publication (otherwise known as the due date ________________).
2. Table of Contents page (25 points) – include titles of each piece of writing and the page number. You will want
to save this step for last.
3. An Introduction (25 points) -- Explain the significance of your title, making clear why it is relevant to your life in
particular. Also include a brief description of this writing project and its purposes -- in your own words.
4. Map of Life (50 points) – Draw a stylized map, beginning with your birth (name, birthdate, and birthplace) and
ending with the present (graduation and date). Along the way, include little labels or diagrams of what you
remember as important events, places, and people in your life. Keep all items in order, but leave enough space
between individual items to fill in as you think of additional information. Write small since it must fit on one
page. You may use branching paths or a legend. Proceed with significant events (places you’ve lived, memorable
vacation trips, memorable “firsts”, and end at Graduation). Include a minimum of 20 “points” or events. Be
creative. Think pirate’s treasure map with illustrations, a dotted line connecting the events along the way, etc.
5. What’s In A Name? (50 points) Names are an integral part of who we are. They shape our sense of who we are.
Explore your feelings about the unity between your self and your name. Choose one of the following options
and use the title in italics as your title:
a. “How I Got My Name” - Is there a story behind your naming? Someone famous, a family member, weird
initials? Does your name have symbolic meaning? Is it ethnic or historic or literary? Did your parents consider
other names? In short, how do you live with your name? Is there an interesting story about your name? Is your
name handed down in your family? What was the inspiration for your name? Tell about your name in a
(minimum) one-page typed essay.
b. “Remember My Name” – Your name is something that no one can take away from you. Tell why your name
fits you perfectly. Why will your name be remembered forever? What is special about your name? What
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connotations come along with your name? Does it inspire certain feelings? Tell about your name in a
(minimum) one-page typed essay.
6. Essay on Childhood (50 points) – Choose one of the following options and use the title in italics as your title:
a. “Sensory Experience from Childhood Memory” – Revisit a favorite or vivid childhood memory. Describe the
sounds, sights, scents, and other sensory details from this memory. This essay should be a minimum of one
typewritten page.
b. “Remembering the Child” – Instead of focusing on one specific childhood memory, describe yourself as a
child. Ask relatives what they remember most about you as a child. Again, use details and creativity. This
should give the reader a good idea of what type of child you were. This essay should be a minimum of one
typewritten page.
7. “If I Could Relive Any Day” (50 points) – This essay should focus on one particular day of your life. It should be a
good memory of a day that you would like to relive. Share details about who or what made the day so special for you.
Looking back, would you change anything about the day? What and why? This essay should be a minimum of one
typewritten page.
8. Things I Think About (50 points) – Choose one of the following options and use the title in italics as your title:
a. Metaphorical Definitions of Abstract Feelings – Choose ten (10) abstract concepts (such as greed,
loneliness, happiness, confidence, fear, hope, apathy, relaxation, stress, laziness, etc.) and write a metaphor
defining each concept. For example, Loneliness is sending yourself flowers at work so everyone will think you
have a significant other or Happiness is being greeted enthusiastically by your dog even if you’ve only been gone
ten minutes.
b. People, Places, Things – This is a listing with the following headings: (1) Ten People Who Have
Influenced Me; (2) Ten Places That Have Shaped Me; (3) Ten Things That Have Moved Me (had an emotional
impact on you). Create a list of ten items for each heading that have been important to you for one reason or
another. Include a brief comment as to each item’s significance.
c. Cheer Myself Up! – Everyone needs a list of things that brings cheer to even the darkest of days.
Create a list of twenty things that bring you cheer.
d. How to. . .: Explain how to do something somewhat strange -- how to wreck a car, how to break a
heart, how to survive wrestling practice, how to make enemies, how to lose a job, how to get a puppy, how to
be miserable, etc. This should be written as steps in an instruction manual. Minimum one page.
9. “Me In Other People’s Words” (50 points) – Select twelve quotations (lines of poetry, pearls of wisdom, lines
from a movie, etc.) which have special meaning to you. Type the quote and who said it. Each quote should be in
a unique font. Change the font size to make the list of quotes fill the entire page.
10. More Things I Think About (50 points) -- Free Choice of one of the following. Choose one of the following
options and use the title in italics as your title:
a. “The Examined Life” -- Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses (or areas needing improvement). Choose
three strengths and three weaknesses. Follow this example:
Strengths:
My intelligence because it lets
me choose the life I want and
gives me the tools I need.
Weaknesses:
My temper because it is
frightening when it gets out of
control.
My principles because they
allow me to stand up for the life
I live.
My moodiness because it
bothers other people when I
change moods suddenly.
My sense of humor because it
lets me accept the things I can’t
control.
My big mouth because it gets
me into trouble I could avoid.
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Then write a paragraph of how you could convert your weaknesses into strengths: (example) I can make my
weaknesses into strengths by controlling them. In themselves, they’re not bad. When I use my temper wisely, it
accomplishes near miracles. It’s perfect for bringing salesmen and students into line. Sometimes I overreact, however,
and that’s bad. If I stop, think, and then react, I can control my temper, my moodiness, and my big mouth.
b. Living In This Moment – Address the following topics: 1. Who Am I Now. Talk about yourself, what makes
you who you are right now. 2. What I Enjoy and Value. What are your hobbies, what are your “favorites”, what means
the most to you. 3. What I Do With My Time. Whether good or bad, what do you do with your time? What takes up
your day and night? 4. Specific Things I Want To Remember. What specific, but slightly off-the-wall things do you want
to never forget? Someone’s smile? Your favorite Starbucks drink? The aroma of your favorite food? Each topic should
be answered in paragraph form.
c. Always Say Never - Make a list of books you never want to read again, places you never want to go again,
people you hope you’ll never see again, things you hope you’ll never have to do again, songs you never want to hear
again, and/or any other “nevers” you’d like to explore. You should have a minimum of ten “nevers.” Choose three of
your “nevers” and explain why.
11. Anglo Saxon Boast (50 points) – Include your Anglo Saxon Boast you wrote while we were reading “Beowulf”. It
is autobiographical due to your inclusion of your ancestors, your abilities, your strengths, and your
accomplishments. Since I have already graded this one, you do not need to turn in a rough draft for this one.
12. When I am Old, I will better understand… (50 points) – This assignment requires you to experience things from
an older person’s point of view. Choose an older relative or elderly person you know (preferably 60 years old or
older). Then spend some time with them doing something they enjoy (fishing, baking, playing Bingo, etc.). Talk
with them while you are sharing this activity (or afterwards, if more appropriate) to find out why they enjoy this
particular activity. Do you enjoy it? If so, do you enjoy it for the same reasons they do? If not, why might you not
enjoy it? Reflect on your experience and write a one-page essay telling about this experience. Be sure to thank
your chosen elderly person for their time and the experience.
13. “A Reflection Of The Arts” (50 points) – Choose a painting, a sculpture, or a musical piece that you truly love.
Tell the title of the artwork and the artist and briefly describe that piece. Then discuss why that particular piece
has meaning for you. When did you first see or hear it? What connections do you make with this piece of art?
What lesson might you or someone else learn from this piece? This essay should be a minimum of one
typewritten page.
14. My Own List of Lists (50 points) – For this assignment, create ten lists of six to ten items per category for each
of the following:
1. People I Would Like To Meet
2. Things That Worry Me
3. Things I Would Like To Know How To Do
4. Interesting Words
5. Places That Make Me Happy
6. Ideas That Intrigue Me
7. Places I Would Like To Go
8. Things I’ve Said Goodbye To
9. Traits I Dislike
10. Traits I Admire
15. . “The Door” (50 points) – This a two-stanza poem. The first stanza begins with the words “When I walk out
that door, I don’t want to see…” then list the fears and nightmares and disappointments you would not want to
see for your world. The second stanza begins with the words “When I walk out that door, I dowant to see…” and
list your hopes and dreams and desires for your world. See the following example I wrote a few years ago:
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Final Project
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When I walk out that door, I don’t want . . .
to see graffiti sprayed on the walls, zombies slurping down brains,
or terrorists ready to strike. I don’t want to see
anyone delivering bad news or bills. I don’t
want to see funeral processions or homeless animals
running loose on the streets.
I don’t want to see anyone denying someone else
his or her right to happiness.
When I walk out that door, I do want . . .
to see politicians who will do what is right for each
and every American. I want to see cures for
diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity,
and apathy. I want to see the winning numbers to the
lottery and the wisdom to know how to best spend the
money. I want to see my students’ surviving their disappointments
and realizing their dreams.
16. The Future (50 points) – Choose one of the following options and use the title in italics as your title:
a. “What the Future Holds” – Write an essay of what the future holds for you. Include a realistic view and a
dream/romantic view of your future. Where do the two futures diverge? What will it take to make your future
come to be? Discuss your plans for education, work, marriage, children, residence, etc. This essay should be a
minimum of one typewritten page.
b. “Marriage, Mates, Myself” – Write an essay focusing on your ideal mate. What type of girl or guy are you
hoping to find? What qualities (physical, mental, personality, etc.) do you find attractive? Or do you even see
yourself getting married someday? Perhaps your future is to choose remaining single. What are your views on
love and companionship? This essay should be a minimum of one typewritten page.
17. Closing Letter of Reflection (25 points) – The final page of your autobiography is a letter to yourself. What have
you learned about yourself in the process of writing your autobiography? What items would you like to add to
this collection of your thoughts for your future self to read someday? Write a wish for your future self or a note
of encouragement or a few words of wisdom to close out this project. Save this for one of the final pieces you
write. I do not want to see the rough draft of this one. I only want to see it in your final published work.
DUE DATE: FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2016
To stay on schedule complete at least three written assignments (rough drafts) each week. Type them and save them on
a flash drive, Google drive, or your H drive at school until you are ready to print and assemble your book. Spell check for
errors. Proof read for errors. Spell check does not catch everything! Be neat and organized.
Grading: This project will count as 1425 points. Each writing will be entered individually as a daily grade (for a total
of 675 points) and then the completed project will be entered as a test grade (worth a total of 750 points). Submit at
least three writings per week (rough draft form—may be handwritten). I will check them, enter the daily grade, and
return them for you to type for your final project. You must still turn in the typed final published bound copy for the
test points!
EXTRA CREDIT: You may earn up to 50 extra credit points for completing extra writings (doing more than one of the
Free Choice options) at 10 points per extra piece. You may also earn up to 50 “style and pizzazz” extra credit points
for including personal touches to your autobiography (such as including illustrations, printed photos, a dedication
page, or whatever your imagination can dream up).
Have fun with this project! It may be the only time in your life that you will take the opportunity to capture these
thoughts and memories, hopes and dreams. Make it meaningful to yourself – something that you will keep forever.
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