ENG217: Personal and Exploratory Writing
Online version
Essay Two: The Self in Relationship
Our second public piece of
writing will be a biographical piece. Basically, you should focus
on one theme, experience, issue, life lesson, or concern that comes
from the life of someone who has been important and influential in your
life. You won’t be telling the person’s whole life story, just
focusing on one significant question, insight, or event. Try to
talk with the person about whom you’re writing—you might hear new
stories or learn new information that will let you know this person
even better.
Consider the most important life lessons you’ve learned from other people. How and what did they teach you? Consider:
Consider the most important life lessons you’ve learned from other people. How and what did they teach you? Consider:
- An issue or situation or problem that has affected this person’s life
- A goal or dream that this person has pursued and/or accomplished
- An experience that taught this person a valuable lesson about life
- A memorable success or failure
- A value, belief, or interest that guides this person
- A fear or sadness or problem that inhibits this person
- A unique experience this person has had
- An important choice this person has made and what he or she learned from the choice
Unlike journal
assignments, this piece will be graded on correctness (mechanics,
style, grammar, etc.) as well as content. Don’t worry—I’ll gladly
edit your work if you give it to me at
least a week before the final
draft is due. This assignment is worth 100 points—50 for
content
(writing) and 50 for mechanics (editing).
Your piece should be about 4-6 pages in length (though it can be longer if you need more space).
Hint for success: Remember the power of specific detail! Include details that appeal to the senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, texture.
Your piece should be about 4-6 pages in length (though it can be longer if you need more space).
Hint for success: Remember the power of specific detail! Include details that appeal to the senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, texture.
