Personal Narrative ProjectMiss P.’s Identity Unit

Contents

What’s this project about?

Project components

Timeline

Rubric

Things to keep in mind

What’s this

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?

Projectcomponents

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 Proposal

In 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 choseI. 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: Rubric

Excellent Good Acceptable Room to Grow

Unacceptable

Identity statement

-Writer provides a clear concept of identity for this project

-Writer provides a concept of identity

-Writer provides a concept of identity that is unclear or unfinished

-Writer provides a concept of identity that is unclear or unfinished

-Writer does not offer a suggestion or even question regarding her identity

Argument

-Thesis is clearly articulated and presents a comprehensive understanding of course concepts-Main points support and demonstrate thesis-Course content supports and enriches argument

-Thesis is clearly articulated-Most main points clearly support thesis-Course content supports and enriches argument

-Thesis is articulated-Some main points clearly support the thesis

-Thesis is vague or incomplete-Few main points support the thesis-Argument does not include examples from course content

-No thesis-Incomplete argument-Examples from course content are not included

Content -Uses examples from at least 3 unit readings to support thesis-Proposes a narrative format-Identifies questions/concerns

-Uses examples from at least 2 unit readings to support theses-Proposes narrative format-Identifies questions/concerns

-Unit readings do not connect to / support thesis-Proposed narrative format-Identifies 1 question or concern

-Unit readings are not including-Narrative format unclear-No questions or concerns included

-No unit readings are referenced-Does not propose a narrative format-No questions or concerns included

Quality --Writing is free of grammatical and punctuation errors-Writing is clear and easy to understand

-Writing needs minor grammatical / punctuation corrections-Writing is mostly clear

-Writing needs grammatical / punctuation corrections-Writing is somewhat clear

-Writing has multiple grammatical / punctuation errors-Writing is unclear

-Writing is rife with errors, incomplete sentences, misspelling, etc.-Writing is unclear

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

Excellent Good Acceptable Room to Grow

Unacceptable

Effort -Narrative has gone through multiple revisions-Narrative shows growth from proposal-Writer has chosen a format that pushes his / her capabilities

-Narrative has gone through revisions-Narrative shows growth from proposal

-Narrative is complete

-Narrative is incomplete and unpolished-

-Narrative is not submitted

Quality -Narrative is polished (regardless of format) – edited, presented cleanly and with care

-Narrative is polished (regardless of format)

-Narrative is mostly polished

-Narrative has errors and indicates lack of editing

-Narrative is unpolished, full of errors, and messily presented

Content -Narrative shows a deep, nuanced understanding of identity, reflecting ideas and concepts we have explored throughout the unit

-Narrative shows an understanding of identity, reflecting ideas and concepts we have explored throughout the unit

-Narrative shows an understanding of identity

-Narrative does not reflect the idea of identity, or ideas and concepts we have discussed in class

-Narrative is unrelated to assignment

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.