paper

  

This paper is not the typical autobiography—you are moving beyond just writing about your background to write a well structured and supported rhetorical reflection about how you perceive yourself and an event in your life. 

The way I will figure if it is too personal or private is . . .

· Am I comfortable sharing this essay with my peers or my instructor?

· Do I have concerns about the manner in which people will respond?

· How well am I able to reflect on the experience or subject?

· Is reflecting on a particular memory too painful or even traumatic?

· How do I want my instructor and peers to respond to this paper?

What do I want them to focus on?

What do I want them to think after they read this memoir?

· How do I feel about being graded on certain memories and part of my life? 

These are some things to consider in order to write a successful paper. . .

· Use your subject to grab my reader and pull them into my paper

· The paper will have a purpose a rationale as to why you chose a specific subject

· Have a definite chronological beginning and end to your memoir. Ask yourself ‘am I covering too much material?’

· Structure memories in a chronological manner, and do not necessarily indicate which one is less or more important

· In the conclusion, focus on the idea of “what this life experience has taught me” or “what I learned from this experience” in order to maintain some organization and flow

· Give as many specific details as possible, not only tell but show your audience what you are writing about

· Avoid choosing a subject that is too familiar to avoid a boring and unchallenging essay

· Proofread carefully and use the Writing Center if possible.

Assignment criteria:

· 800 words, doubled spaced, one inch margins, MLA format

· Has an interesting title that begins the argument

· Paper draws on memory and observations as sources of information and support

· Uses a fast write from class, or choose your own significant event to write about

· Uses a narrative style of developing ideas for this paper

· Balances details and reflection, and demonstrates how to engage in dialectal methods of thinking and writing

· Illustrates some poignant events or moments to give your reader a sense of what occurred and to demonstrate your abilities as a writer

· Sketches a scene, write a dialogue, and use sensory detail more than just tell statements