Name: __________________________________ Date: ____________________________ Personal Essay Assignment Overview: Task Due Dates 1. Brainstorm Tuesday, February 19, 2013 2. Topic Selection / Outline Thursday, February 21, 2013 3. a) Student Rubric Thursday, February 21, 2013 b) Rough Draft Friday, March 1, 2013 4. Good Copy Monday, March 4, 2013 * Each task MUST be handed in with your final copy! Your Task: You will write a Personal Essay based on one of the topics listed below (or on a topic of your choice). Your essay will be entirely about YOU. You do not need to use outside sources in your essay. Possible Essay Topics: 1. An experience that has changed your life: i.e., travel, international exchange, serious illness, attending a conference, etc. 2. A problem that you have: i.e. procrastination, perfectionism, low self-esteem, etc. 3. An obsession that you have: i.e. sports, Facebook, gaming, etc. 4. A pet peeve of yours: i.e. unpunctuality, people who spit, etc. 5. A problem that you have conquered: i.e. smoking, skipping class, etc. The Basics: Your essay will: Have a clear and concise thesis statement (it does NOT have to be in the opening paragraph!) Have at least five (5) paragraphs (introduction, three [3] body paragraphs, and conclusion). Have at least six (6) pieces of anecdotal evidence (two [2] for each supporting point). Have a catchy title that draws the reader in (DO NOT title your essay: Personal Essay or English Assignment) Include a least three (3) DIFFERENT rhetorical devices. Have a distinct tone appropriate to an identified audience. Format: Before you hand in your essay, make sure that you have: A title page with your name, date, course code, and teacher’s name Underlined your thesis statement Underlined each of your three (3) rhetorical devices Double-spaced your essay Used a 12 point font (no larger) Your brainstorming sheets, essay outline, rubric, and rough draft attached to your essay Personal Essay Assignment – Brainstorm Brainstorming Ideas (Potential Personal Essay Topics): Possible Thesis Statements: 1. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 2. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 3. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 4. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 5. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ Personal Essay Assignment – Outline ** This outline must be handed in with the final good copy. ** Essay Topic: _______________________________________________________ Essay Tone: _______________________________________________________ Essay Audience: ___________________________________________________ Introduction: How do you plan on ‘hooking’ your reader? Thesis Statement: It must be clear and concise and located in an effective part of your essay. Body Paragraphs: Each of your three (3) supporting points MUST prove your thesis statement. Supporting Point 1 Supporting Point 2 Supporting Point 3 Supporting Evidence 1 Supporting Evidence 1 Supporting Evidence 1 Supporting Evidence 2 Supporting Evidence 2 Supporting Evidence 2 Rhetorical Device Rhetorical Device Rhetorical Device Personal Essay Assignment – Rubric Thinking Knowledge Curriculum Expectations Constructing Meaning Developing and Organizing Content Application Using Knowledge of Form and Style Teacher Criteria Demonstrate knowledge of personal essay format requirements Demonstrate knowledge of literary techniques (rhetorical devices) Title is interesting and appropriate Clear and convincing thesis All points lead from the thesis and prove your points Student Criteria - opening paragraph, body paragraph, conclusion - Included all 3 literary devices (one in each paragraph); effective literary devices - Title that is exciting, related to your essay, preview to your essay - Stating a main point that will be argued throughout your paper - At the end of each body paragraph you restate / connect your proof to your thesis Develop a coherent plan to structure - completed your brainstorming, essay argument and essay outline, rough copy & peer editing on All elements are completed on-time to time allow for revision - you’ve chosen a topic that is Demonstrate original ideas personal and interesting to YOU Provide effective and relevant proof to - Each paragraph has TWO examples support argument from YOUR life Organise ideas into logical progression - You have planned your writing so that is effective and engaging, and that each point is separate and makes reinforces the argument sense to the reader Write complete sentences that Creative sentence writing (not communicate their meaning clearly having every sentence the same and accurately, varying sentence type, length) structure, and length and making Speaking to YOUR audience instead logical transitions between ideas of speaking to no one Evidence of engagement with Have expression- not monotone audience and dry (punctuation, use words Sense of voice; creation of appropriate that emphasize “Extremely” tone “incredibly” etc.) Evidence of effective diction Use a thesaurus Correct use of accurate conventions Proofread / have someone else (spelling, punctuation, grammar) proofread it for you! Proof reading done thoroughly and Also includes, double spacing, title thoughtfully page format, having your last name beside the page number Good at correcting your own mistakes, making sure everything’s in context, etc. Has filled out the student side of this rubric Level Personal Essay Assignment – Reflection What aspect of your personal essay makes you most proud? What specific actions would you take next time to make your writing better? Using the feedback you have been given, re-write a particular sentence/paragraph and discuss why the new version would be an improvement.