Autobiographical Essay Assignment

Each of you is required to write a comprehensive autobiographical essay consisting of three sections:

1. My Heritage
2. My Values and Beliefs
3. My Talents and Possibilities


Description:

The first section, "My Heritage," should contain descriptions of events from the lives of your parents (or even grandparents or other prominent ancestors), which have contributed to the person you are today.

The second section, "My Values and Beliefs," should contain detailed descriptions of the beliefs you have and the values you hold dear. These values and beliefs may be political, spiritual, or philosophical in nature. In your description of your values and beliefs, you may refer back to the influence of your parents (or other prominent ancestors) in their creation, but the main focus should be why you have that value or belief, not why they had them.

In the third section, "My Talents and Possibilities," you should describe the things you are good at or have a special talent for. You should speculate on your future possibilities; what you hope to be, where you hope to go, what you think you can do in your life.

In each of these sections, you may draw upon portions from your previous writings for this class. Each of the three sections should be clearly labeled. The essay should be a narrative. It should flow easily from section to section, and should contain an appropriate title, introduction, and a conclusion that "wraps everything up."

 

Grading:

Your grade for this assignment will be based largely upon content, but it will also be based on grammar (punctuation, spelling), sentence and idea "flow," organization, and style. This essay should be approximately 12 typed or printed pages (double-spaced, print size no larger than 12 point, with 1 inch side margins). It will be due at the beginning of the last day of class, on Monday, May 17th.

Important Dates:

1. The Autobiographical Essay assignment will be discussed in detail in class on Monday, March 15.

2. A draft copy of your essay will be due on Monday, May 3.

3. I will return your draft copy back to you on Monday, May 10, and your final copy will be due at the beginning of class on Monday, May 17.