history homework

Personal Historical Narrative Assignment Instructions and Rubric

In this creative writing assignment you will travel back in time and imagine what life was like for an individual in the past. You will understand the impact of time and space on perspective, develop a narrative structure, describe how peoples, groups, cultures and institutions change over time, recognize how social, cultural, gender, race, religion, nationality and other identities affect historical perspective, and practice research skills.

Tasks:

1. Select one of the following to write your first person narrative about. (Remember you can be any gender or race that would be appropriate for that character and if you have a suggestion of a character that is not here but falls in the scope of chapters 13-14 of our text, please contact me with that idea before proceeding.)

a. A Lutheran Noble in Germany b. A Protestant or Calvinist in any country between 1500-1600 c. A Sailor in the Spanish Armada during the Anglo-Spanish War d. A Huguenot survivor of the Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre e. An apprentice in a German Print shop f. A devout Catholic in Germany during the Lutheran Reformation g. A Nun in Spain

2. Research what every day life was like for your character during the period covered in our text chapters 13 and 14. While you research, keep in mind that historical references like historic dates, actual places, and events add credibility and interest to your writing.

3. Compose a fictional, first person narrative either in Journal format or a two page double spaced paper. If you select Journal format, you must have at least 10 journal entries from your character that are one paragraph long. The narrative does not need to be a biography of your character but rather describe one period or event in their lives. Remember to use descriptions that really bring your audience to the moment… think what sounds or smells your character might sense in the moment your writing about.

4. Be as accurate as possible. For example, your character will not be able to use cell phones or a computer; in fact walking may be their only form of transportation . . .

5. Include a bibliography of three sources you used in your research. 6. Turn you assignment into the Dropbox by the scheduled due date, but you may also post

it in the optional discussion for classmate feedback.

Personal Historical Narrative Rubric:

Task Maximum Points Composed a fictional first person narrative

/10

Assignment was approximately two double spaced pages, while grammar is important for readability your character may speak differently than we do today

/20

Used some known history such as places, people, and events to make fictional story come alive

/15

Used descriptors to illustrate what the character experienced

/10

Was accurate in story by not including artifacts or events that are not appropriate for the character to have or know about

/10

Included a bibliography of three sources for assignment.

/10

Total /75