Writing Project 1: Writing from Personal Experience (20%) Length: 3-4 pages (100

Writing Project 1: Writing from Personal Experience (20%)
Length: 3-4 pages (1000 words minimum), double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point
Format: MLA. See page 608 of The Norton Field Guide for an example of MLA format.
Instructor: Jude Barker
Assignment: A narrative is another word for story. Write a narrative essay based on observation or a reflection on something from your past. Your story should take us through a 15-20-minute scene from your life. You must be in the story, as a participant, as the central character, or as an observer. You should include at least one other person (or a reference to a person), and your essay should have a sense of place or setting.
You should provide vivid description, using as many of your five senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell) as you can. You may want to use dialogue to help establish the characters in the story. Your essay should include a thesis statement (central idea). Traditionally, the thesis statement is found at the end of the introduction; however, you should dispense with an introduction and jump right into your story. Your thesis may come at the beginning of the essay, or you can use a “delayed thesis” strategy where you save your thesis statement for your conclusion.
Tone: Conversational
Audience: Your classmates
What I will be looking for in your essay:
✓ Correct MLA format
✓ Descriptive title
✓ Clear thesis statement that engages the audience’s interest and introduces (or concludes) the story
✓ Vivid description of the story that supports your thesis statement throughout your essay
✓ Sense of setting
✓ Second person (or reference to second person)
✓ Conclusion that provides a satisfying end to your story
✓ Clear focus, smooth organization, transitions, and effective grammar usage