The Autobiography essay is not like a standard autobiography. You DO tell your life story – in a way-, but it doesn’t need to be everything. This essay is the next step after the 3 Traits Essay in which you focus on 3 positive traits. In this essay you will choose 1 of your best and most important traits and write an essay which tells your life story, yet always coming back to that main trait. For example: If I were to write out my creative side, I may tell of when I was a little child and I won an art contest, I may then tell of a time when I painted a mural on the wall in my bedroom. Then I may tell about a time when I created a project at school that was very creative. I may tell about other ways in which I have been creative, other than just art, like coming up with stories, new ways of doing things, or in the way I used to dress. Then I may tell the story of art classes in high school and going to Art College at U of M. Then I may explain how I decided to be a teacher, and yet I still use my creativity in my teaching and at home in various ways which I would explain in detail. I would give specific, detailed stories to create this story, which is an autobiography, yet at the same time revolves around one, central trait. I would begin with one or two introduction paragraphs and conclude with a conclusion. The essay should be approximately six (6) pages long, not counting cover pages, etc. Times Roman, 12 font standard margins.
What Will Be Your Central Trait?: (Examples: Creative, Curious, Compassionate, Positive, Helpful, Responsible, Emotional, Active, etc.) Describe Supporting Stories: Ages 0-10: 1.) 2.) 3.) Ages 11-13 1.) 2.) 3.) Ages 14-present 1.) 2.) 3.) Possible Autobiography Outline Introduction Paragraph or Paragraphs (approx 1/2 - 1 page) General Ideas about your trait: Focusing on how it has affected your life: Exactly how the trait has effected your life and will effect your future (thesis): Body Paragraphs (approx 4-5 pages) Detailed Sample Story 1: Connection to Central Trait: Transition: Detailed Sample Story 2: Connection to Central Trait: Transition: Detailed Sample Story 3: Connection to Central Trait: Transition: Detailed Sample Story 4: Connection to Central Trait: Transition: Detailed Sample Story 5: Connection to Central Trait: Transition: Detailed Sample Story 6: Connection to Central Trait: Transition: Detailed Sample Story 7: Connection to Central Trait: Transition: Detailed Sample Story 8: Connection to Central Trait: Transition: Detailed Sample Story 9: Connection to Central Trait: Transition: Conclusion Paragraph/ Paragraphs (1/2 – 1 pgs) Review how the trait has affected your life: How will affect your future: Other ideas, etc on the central trait and its role in your life and future:
1. You should have a title page with the following components: title for the paper, your name, date submitted, name of the course, name of the teacher. 2. Each page should have your name or an abbreviation of me title in the header. 3. Each page should be numbered in the bottom right footer. 4. You should use 12-point font, 1" margins and double spacing, 5. You should use a conservative font-no italics or ,bold facing. 6. PROOFREAD FOR SPELLING AND GRAMMAR MISTAKES. "Spell check" and "grammar check" are not sufficient to catch all mistakes.
1. What is the main impression this draft makes? What appears to be its strongest and weakest features? 2. Is the thesis clearly and prominently stated? 3. Is the thesis in its present form worth defending, or does it seem too obvious or too implausible? Is it sufficiently complex? Explain. 4. Is the tone consistently appropriate to the writer's purpose? If not, explain. 5. Is the thesis adequately supported? What points if any need further evidence or elaboration? 6. Is the thesis adequately developed? What further aspects of the thesis might the author discuss?