Personal Narrative Assignment and Rubric
Due Dates: (each one for credit)
Outline/Plot Line due in rough form, not necessarily typed: Thursday, 1/9
Rough Draft due: Tuesday, 1/14; Peer Edit
Final, typed Draft due: Friday, 1/17. (rough draft/peer edit, typed final
outline also due) **Please also share your work with me via Google Docs**
Assignment: You have been given several topics from which to choose. The
assignment details are listed below. You must compose an essay of not less
than two typed pages, expanding on one of the topics for which you have
brainstormed. Please remember that every essay must have a thesis
statement, which is the point of the story, not just your topic (you should not
have “this essay is about…” or “I am going to write about…” or “my topic
is…” Your essay must also have a conclusion, and it should not begin “in
conclusion…” Remember that this is a personal narrative; you should not
use the word “you”, but you are encouraged to use first person throughout.
Rubric:
 At least two typed pages, double-spaced, 12-point font (TNR) or less,
one inch margins, name and period in the upper left corner of first
page (follow MLA). No title page necessary. You must also have a
typed outline turned in with the final draft.
 Remember that you are telling a story! Choose one topic from the
reflection journals to expand and retell the entire story. As with any
good narrative, your essay should have some background information
that helps set the stage (exposition), a conflict (narrative hook-the
central idea around which the events focus), and the events that lead
up to the high point of the story (climax). Your conclusion
(resolution) should include the significance of the experience, what
you gained or learned or lost.
 The introduction should have a thesis statement that focuses the
narrative on a particular theme or idea, the significance of the event
on your life. Thus, the body should retell only those events that help
support the thesis or focus of the paper.
 Remember that you are telling a story, not necessarily merely retelling
events. Keep the audience’s interest in mind and the story or plot line
moving.
 You must also have a concluding paragraph which summarizes the
events of the narrative and reflects on the lesson learned, what was
gained or lost, etc.
The final draft must be typed and saved onto the school server into a class
folder. The rough draft must be complete on the due date for peer editing.
You must also compose an outline including the thesis statement and
pertinent action in the plot. The outline must be typed for the final draft, but
not necessarily for the rough draft (although we are working on the school
computers throughout the process)—a working outline is due prior to that of
the rough draft.
***On the final due date (1/17), you must submit the final, typed draft, the final typed
outline, the rough draft and the peer edit, and brainstorming work***
Brainstorming ideas for Personal Narrative
For each of the topic ideas, write a short, 5-sentence paragraph, outlining your
recollection of the events listed.
Write about a time when…
1. you had to make a difficult decision. What was the dilemma? What went into
your decision-making process? How did you make the final choice? Are you still
pleased with that choice? Why or Why not?
2. you were tested, either physically, mentally or emotionally or all three. Give
some background information, then write in detail about the particular event and
its outcome. How did this challenge make you feel about yourself?
3. you tried to impress someone. Give some detail as to whom you were impressing
and why, and the outcome either positive or negative. Looking back on this
incident how do you feel about your efforts?
4. you had a very happy experience. This may be a holiday experience, or a
vacation, or special event, or just a rare opportunity to be family, friends, or by
yourself. What makes this memory stand out for you?
5. you visited a favorite place. This may have been a once in a lifetime event or
could have been some place that you have visited many times. You should focus
on one particular personally meaningful time or experience though, not generalize
all of the times. What made this particular event so meaningful? You should be
ready to give a detailed description of the place as well.
6. you had a sad or troubling experience. This may be a personal tragedy or just an
event that did not turn out in your favor. How has this experience affected your
life since it occurred? How has it changed your outlook, either on the event or on
your life as you grow older?
7. you had an epiphany. This could be an athletic, academic or other personal
achievement. It may also be just a time when you realized something about
yourself or your world. How did this realization come about and how has it
affected you since it occurred? What did you gain (in the long run) from this
experience?