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:
1. Cover Page: 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 yourself at different
ages up to the present.
2. First Vignette: 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 (sight, sound,
smell, feeling, touch). Pictures welcome. (300+ words)
3. Second Vignette: 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. Boldface each figurative example. (300+ words)
4. Third Vignette: Write a story about an incident in which you experienced something embarrassing to you.
Has the occasion taught you anything? Incorporate story telling truth into the story. Included a second copy
of the story where the elements that are invented or exaggerated are boldfaced. (250+ words)
5. Fourth Vignette: Write a story that characterizes your relationship with one or both of your parents. This
is NOT a description of your general 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: Ekphrasis: a poem inspired by a work of art or image. Write a free verse poem the 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”): 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: Create a cover letter & resume for yourself set roughly at age 30 in your life.
Starting with your graduation from Strath Haven, identify a career for yourself and a job opportunity.
Develop a (hopefully) realistic background and appropriate experience 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. Note: the cover letter and the resume are two separate items.
Key
1.
2.
3.
Descriptive Passage: You are simply describing something/someone, not in the context of a scene or a
story.
Scene: You are creating a mental picture with words. Think of a scene as a setting without a plot, story, or
point.
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:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Conventions:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Form:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Language / Style:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The Vignette Topics:
1. Cover Page (includes image) (10 pts):
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
2. First Vignette (25 pts): (descriptive passage detailing your home with tone words – 250+ words)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
3.
Second Vignette (25 pts): (Describe a scene where all members of your immediate family are present with
figurative language – 50+ words per person)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
4.
Third vignette (25 pts): (A story about an incident in which you experienced something embarrassing to
you - 250+ words)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
5.
Fourth Vignette (25 pts): (A story that characterizes your relationship with one or both of your parents 250+ words)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
6.
Fifth Vignette (25 pts): (Write a free verse poem utilizing the principle of ekphrasis. Image required. 100+ words)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Sixth Vignette (25 pts): (title it “Requiem”): (A reflection - 250+ words)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Cover Letter (20 pts)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
9. Resume (20 pts)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Score: _____ / 200