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Autobiography Assignment

Reading:  Read the sample autobiographical texts.  Keep a response journal in which you write down your answers to the questions under the heading BEFORE READING. Answer questions for both Connecting and Anticipating. In addition use your journal to record aspects of autobiographical writing that you may want to use in your own autobiography.

Writing:  You will be writing a chapter of your own autobiography.  Choose from the suggested chapter topics below.
 

    1. My First Memory
    2. A Family Dinner
    3. The School Years
    4. My Hopes And Dreams
    5. An Obstacle Overcome
    6. A Crisis Survived
    7. A Time I Went Outside the Box
    8. How I Discovered My Vocation/Avocation
    9. A Lesson Learned During Community Service.
Suggestions for other chapters will be taken into consideration.  Things you might consider in choosing your topic:
  • If you are a freshman or sophomore, you will be able to use this assignment for your process piece in your Sophomore Writing Portfolio.
  • If you are a junior or senior applying to 4 year colleges, you may use this assignment as a basis for your college application essay.
    • Four Stages: You will compose your chapter in four stages on a word processor, preferably Microsoft Word.  You will save each stage in a file with the filename format:
    your first initial, your last name, ( _ ) , stagename, (.), "doc".
    For example, the sloppy copy would be saved as: jdoe_sloppycopy.doc
    Stage 1:  the SLOPPY COPY--just write everything you can think of that might be used in this chapter.  Don't worry about spelling, punctuation, grammar, whatever.  You will probably be the only person who reads this but you must turn it in with the other stages. Save Stage 1 in the format: your first initial, your last name, ( _ ) , sloppycopy, (.), "doc". For example,  jdoe_sloppycopy.doc.

    Stage 2:  the ROUGH DRAFT--pick the best ideas from your "sloppy copy" and put them together in a logical fashion. This is in effect a revision of the "sloppy copy" but still far from a polished version.  After you have written this draft, let it be for a day or so.  Let the ideas steep in your mind.  Then, reread what you have, add some more details before you begin. Save Stage 2 in the format: your first initial, your last name, ( _ ) , roughdraft, (.), "doc". For example,  jdoe_roughdraft.doc.

    Stage 3:  the SOPHISTICATED COPY--reorganize and develop the ideas in the rough draft so that you have a sophisticated version of the drafts.  This version may not be perfect yet, but it is word-processed [Palantino font, 12, double spaced] or doublespaced and neatly written, has a clearly written thesis idea and paragraphs that develop this idea, words are spelled correctly, punctuation is where it goes, etc.   Save Stage 3 in the format: your first initial, your last name, ( _ ) , sophisticated, (.), "doc". For example,  jdoe_sophisticated.doc.

    Stage 4:  the FINAL DRAFT--needs no explanation.  By now, you have perfected your writing.  This is your best effort on this work.  You have shown the sophisticated copy to at least two other people--maybe I have even marked some comments on it--and taken their comments and reactions into consideration.  You personally know it is brilliant. Save Stage 4 in the format: your first initial, your last name, ( _ ) , finaldraft, (.), "doc". For example,  jdoe_finaldraft.doc.
     
     

    Bring your files to your appointment on a floppy disk.