Name:__________________

Date:___________________

Period:__________________

Personal Narrative Assignment:

Assignment: Write a 2-4 page personal narrative about a personal episode that was memorable and true for you.

Requirements: (below each bulleted requirement, write what that requirement means in your own words, so you know exactly what you need to do for this assignment)

• Convey (“show”) a personal episode
  
  __________________________________________________________________
  
  
• Episode must be true AND memorable
  
  __________________________________________________________________
  
  
• Episode must express emotion (joy, sorrow, fear, etc.)
  
  __________________________________________________________________
  
  
• Episode must demonstrate strong voice
  
  

__________________________________________________________________

• Episode must contain strong, vibrant, “juicy” word choice (not tired, old, wimpy words)

__________________________________________________________________

• Episode must have appropriate organization
  
  __________________________________________________________________
  
  
• Episode must have proper mechanics.
  
  __________________________________________________________________
  
  

SEE RUBRIC ON THE BACK SIDE OF THIS YELLOW SHEET!

Personal Narrative Rubric:

VOICE:

_____ A definite personality flows from the piece and the reader is convinced that the voice belongs to

the speaker. (5 points)

_____ The viewpoint is truly that of the speaker. (5 points)

WORD CHOICE:
_____ Uses accurate, strong, specific, “juicy” words (not old “retired” words) (5 points)

_____ Uses fresh, original expression. (5 points)

_____ Uses lively or “zesty” verbs. Verbs help make story come alive in reader’s mind. (5 points)


ORGANIZATION:
_____ Sequence (order of events) is logical (5 points)

_____ Transitions connect ideas (5 points)

_____ Contains a “gotcha” lead that hooks the reader into wanting to read more of the story (5 points)

_____ Has effective closure (5 points)

CONVENTIONS:
_____ All words spelled correctly

(5 points; 4 points 1-2 errors, 3 points 3-4 errors, 2 points 5-6 errors, 1 point 7-8 errors, 0

points more than 8 errors)

_____ Sentences are all complete

(5 points; 4 points 1-2 errors, 3 points 3-4 errors, 2 points 5-6 errors, 1 point 7-8 errors, 0

points more than 8 errors)

_____ Capitalization, quotations, and end-mark punctuation are appropriate throughout the paper

(5 points; 4 points 1-2 errors, 3 points 3-4 errors, 2 points 5-6 errors, 1 point 7-8 errors, 0

points more than 8 errors)

_____ All paragraphs are properly indented (2 points)

FORMATTING:
_____ Paper is turned in NEAT, COMPLETE, AND ON TIME (3 points)

_____ Paper contains proper Middle School heading in upper right hand corner (1 point)

_____ Paper contains title of story (not “personal narrative”) centered on the top line (1 point)

_____ Title is original (not “My Summer Vacation”) (1 point)

_____ Paper is typed, Times New Roman 12 point font double-spaced or neatly handwritten on loose

leaf, double-spaced in ink (2 points)

_____ Paper meets the 2-4 page typed, double-spaced requirement or the 4-6 page handwritten in ink

double-spaced requirement (2 points)

Total points________ / 72 = _______________________