Personal Narrative ProjectMiss P.’s Identity Unit

Contents

What’s this project about?

Project components

Timeline

Rubric

Things to keep in mind

project about?

For the past few weeks, we have been

talking about identity – what influences

it, how it’s formed, and what role it

plays in our lives.

We’ve read, heard, and seen many

expressions of identity, across time,

geography, and form.

This project is your opportunity to tell your story the way that you want.

You have read, listened to, and seen many different formats of self-expression.

What have you learned about why authors make choices about using certain formats?

What have you learned about identity?

What have you learned about yourself?

components

This assignment has four

components:

1. Personal narrative proposal

2. Personal narrative

3. Identity Exhibition

4. Reflection paper

This may seem like a lot, but I will be

helping you throughout each

component. In addition, you will be

helping each other.

This project builds on the hard work

you’ve been doing all year, so have

confidence! You’ll do great!

1. Personal Narrative

ProposalIn this 3-page paper, you will identify the

format in which you want to create your

personal narrative. It is an opportunity for

you to think about what you want to say

about your identity, how you want to say it,

and why – using evidence from the texts

we’ve read, of course.

Personal Narrative

Proposal: Structure I. The statement you’re making about your identity (who are you?)

II. The format you chose

I. Why you chose that format, citing examples of narratives we read during

this unit and how examination of those contributed to your decision

II. How this format will help you articulate what you want to say

about your identity

III. What you will hand in for your first draft assignment (structure,

length)

IV. Any questions you have or help you might need

Personal Narrative

Proposal: RubricNEED TO CREATE

2. Personal NarrativeYou’ve spent weeks examining how people

have chosen to express their identities.

Now, it’s your turn.

In the format of your choosing, tell the story of who

you are. Consider questions such as, “Who am I?”

“What has shaped me?” “What communities do I

identify with?” “How is my identity affected by my

environment/culture/experiences?”

Personal Narrative :

Structure This structure is entirely up to you. You may choose to write a

poem or an essay, perform a spoken word piece or dance, or

something else entirely. What matters is that it feels authentic to

you, and that you have provided me with a clear argument as to

why that form is the one you choose (in your Personal Narrative

Proposal).

Here are some things to consider to get you started:

• What forms that we looked at resonated with you?

• What elements of your story do you want to prioritize (e.g.

facts or emotions)? Which forms allow you to do that?

Personal Narrative: Rubric

NEED TO CREATE

3. Identity Exhibition

Now that you’ve created your personal

narrative, I want to give you an opportunity to

share it.

Our class will present and display our identity

work to classmates, family, and friends at the

end of the unit.

Identity Exhibition :

Structure

It’s up to you to choose how you want to

present your work; due to the personal

nature of this assignment, you may choose

to share only one element of your narrative

or reflection paper, or talk about your

process.

Identity Exhibition : Rubric

This assignment is graded purely on

participation.

4. Reflection Paper

You can take a breath here; this reflection

paper is designed to help you – and me –

understand what you’ve learned in this unit.

Reflection Paper: Structure

It will be a journal entry of 3-4 pages. There

is no formal structure; instead, I want you

think about the following questions:

• Has your conception of your identity

changed?

• What will you remember about this work?

• What lessons will you take forward?

Reflection Paper: Rubric

This assignment is graded purely on

participation.

Things to keep in mind

• This project is about you. You are the experts on

your own identities, and I want to learn from your

expertise.

• This project includes choice about how you want

to do certain elements. You get to decide the

format that’s best for you.

• This may seem overwhelming, but I know you

are capable of doing it. You will have help from

me and from your classmates.