For your first essay, you will write a narrative in first person

For your first essay, you will write a narrative in first person, past tense about a moment from your past that you feel holds enough significance for reflection. You can interpret this in many ways: from a tragedy that has shaped the person you are today to a subtle interaction you had with a stranger that has stayed with you to a hilarious moment with a group of friends that lead to a realization. Maybe this could be about a place you visited that holds some personal value? Or perhaps a relationship that broke your heart that you may now see as a life lesson? Think about activities, prompts, and assignments we have had so far in the course and if there could be a jumping off point somewhere. Keep in mind all aspects discussed over the first section of the course, such as characterization, details, tense, plot, etc. Everyone has a story that they can pull out and expand on, and I am asking you to be creative, concise, sincere, and thoughtful in your first essay.

Please format your essay using standard MLA formatting. Please double and triple check your margins, spacing, page numbers, font, etc. for correctness. This paper should be no less than 700 words. (NOTE: If this paper is submitted with more than 200 words under the word count, it will not be graded.) There are no sources for this paper, so no reference page is needed.

You will be handing this in through Canvas by the day and time given for the course on the syllabus and schedule. You will find the directions for this assignment and the submission portal to turn in this paper under the Modules tab on Canvas.

Ideas and Content:

_____ focuses on a specific experience or time in the writer’s life

_____ presents an appealing picture of the action and the people

_____ characterizes themselves and others

_____ uses dialogue effectively and strategically

_____ written in first person, past tense

_____ by the end, there is a reflective quality to the piece that answers the question: “why does this matter?”

Organization:

_____ has a clear beginning, a middle, and an end (plot)

_____ gives events in an order that is easy to follow (linear or nonlinear)

_____ transitions flow from each paragraph and/or section

Word Choice:

_____ contains specific nouns and creative verbs

_____ uses sensory details

_____ verb tenses are consistent

_____ concrete words used often for descriptions

_____ uses simile and metaphor throughout

Conventions:

_____ applies basic rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics

_____ presents paper according to format listed in directions