Personal Narrative—The Grendel in My Life
Name: ____________________
•
Write a personal narrative about some problem that you need to deal with or that you have successfully overcome.
This “monster” might be a major illness or health problem (yours or someone in your family), a family issue
(sibling, parent, step-parent, etc.), a relationship problem, an emotional/attitude difficulty (mental health, anger
management, etc.), or something much simpler: maybe a schoolyard bully.
•
This Grendel can be something from your past or something you are currently dealing with, a conquered crisis or
a present predicament. The tone can be humorous or quite serious. Of course, you will write in first person.
•
And this must be real: no made-up monsters.
Requirements: 5 paragraph essay, typed in 12 pt. Times New Roman font with 1 inch margins, double-spaced (no extra
space between paragraphs)
Title: The Grendel in My Life (not underlined or in quotation marks)
SAMPLE INTRODUCTION:
Everyone must face obstacles in life. It is a part of our human existence to struggle and have conflicts with others
or with ourselves. In the epic Beowulf, the hero Beowulf must battle with the monster Grendel. He defeats this monster
through his bravery and determination. I, too, have (or had) a Grendel in my life. It is (or was) my battle with ?.
This is due at the end of the period on _________________________ and must be handed in with this handout.
Create your 4-square on the back of this paper.
Essay Rubric
10 points
9 points
8 points

Five Paragraph  Five Paragraph
Essay
Essay
 Five Paragraph
Essay

Thesis
Statement
Clear
Introduction
Strong
Conclusion
Topic sentence
at beginning of
each paragraph
Several
examples and
details
supporting
thesis
Proper use of
transitional
words
Well-revised
 Thesis
Statement
 Introduction
 Conclusion
 Topic sentence
at beginning of
each paragraph
 One or two
examples and
details
supporting
thesis
 Use of
transitional
words
 Minor revision
needed
 Weak Thesis
Statement
 Poorlydeveloped
introduction or
conclusion
 Lacking topic
sentences
 Lacking
examples and
details
 Some revision
needed






7 points
6 points or fewer

Four
Paragraph
Essay

Three or fewer
Paragraph
Essay

Much revision
needed

Revision
needed:
currently an
incomplete
rough draft