ENGL102 SP17- C.J. Hill

Unit 1 Assignment Instructions Personal Narrative Essay: Place-Identity

Spaces and places are far more than fours walls or several acres of wild grass. Our environments perform a larger purpose in our lives than simply being the settings in which they play out. Throughout the course of this class, we will be using analytical, research, and argumentative writing technics to explore the different ways that environments affect human beings and situations. And for our first assignment, you will begin this journey with narrative reflection writing. For this essay you are to reflect on a place or space that holds a lot of importance for you, ideally from your childhood. This could be your hometown, your elementary school playground, your grandparents’ kitchen—somewhere that has held on and never let go. After determining an environment, you are to write a 3-4 page personal narrative in which you discuss how this place or space has affected your identity and who you have become. This assignment requires:

• A clear, creative description of your chosen place or space • Narrative elements as detailed in The Allyn & Bacon Guide to Writing and as

gleaned from the example essays assigned throughout the unit • Thoughtful analysis of how your chosen environment has shaped your identity,

including examples

Audience: • Write this essay toward an audience of your peers

Format:

• Write in standard edited English and adhere strictly to MLA 8 formatting

Assessment: • As stated in the syllabus, this first assignment will be graded by the attached,

standard rubric. This rubric will be revised together as a class for consequent assignments

Optional rough drafts are due as a hardcopy by class on Friday, January 27th

Final drafts are due on Bb Learn on Friday, February 3rd by 11:59 pm

“Self-identity is not restricted to making distinctions between oneself and significant others, but extends with no less importance to objects and things, and the very spaces

and places in which they are found.” –Harold M. Proshansky, Abbe K. Fabian, and Robert Kaminoff, “Place-Identity: Physical World Socialization of the Self”

ENGL102 SP17- C.J. Hill

Grading Rubric for Major Assignment 1: Narrative

Components 30 Points

Content 30 Points

Organization

30 Points

Formatting

10 Points

A

90-100 Total Points

Narrative components are implemented strongly throughout the piece. The voice and perspective is clear and compelling.

Description of the environment is detailed and creative. The statement of relevance to identity is well-pondered and explored thoroughly throughout the essay.

The writing moves quick and clean through a well structured form. Transitions are artful and tied into topic sentences.

MLA 8 format is used in exact detail with no errors.

B

80-89 Total Points

Several narrative components are used well at various points in the essay.

Description of environment is clear and thoughtful. Statement of relevance to identity is discussed often throughout the essay.

Writing follows a clear organization with transitions and topic sentences that rise slightly above being only “good enough.”

MLA 8 format is used correctly with only a few errors.

C

70-79 Total Points

Narrative components are attempted in several areas of the essay.

Description of environment and statement of relevance to identity is present.

Writing is organized in a logical manner. Transitions and topic sentences are simple.

MLA 8 format is used but with distracting errors.

NC

No Credit

Narrative components are completely absent from the writing.

There is no description of the selected environment or a clearly stated connection to the writer’s identity.

Writing does not follow any clear structure. Transitions and topic sentences are absent.

MLA 8 style is not followed in any way.