Narrative/ Descriptive Essay:  Autobiographical Incident

The autobiographical incident is a narrative about a specific occurrence in a writer’s life.  It takes place during a specific period of time, includes sensory detail, and has a clear sequence of action.  The significance of the incident to the writer is apparent, either from the narrative itself or the interpretation that the writer gives. 

In “Eleven,” Sandra Cisneros recreates her feelings about an incident that ruined her eleventh birthday.  Think about a birthday, a time you will never forget, a time you faced up to something difficult, a time you were afraid, a time when someone let you down, a time when you really got in trouble or some other incident in your life that stands out in your memory.

Prompt:  In a 3-4 page essay (MLA format), paint a portrait that creates a dominant impression of a particular incident that has impacted your life.  Write about this incident and bring it to life using specific details which create a mood and show the setting.  Be sure the reader can understand how you felt about this incident and what you learned about yourself or why you consider this particular incident memorable or important. 

Your essay should also contain the following important features and strategies:

• Character appearance, speech and action
• Showing not telling
• Dialogue
• Strong action verbs
• Sensory details
• Naming/ Detailing
• Comparisons
• Creating Action (movement)
• Remembered Feeling
• Tension and Pacing
• Brief Scenic Details

Narrative Writing:  Autobiographical Incident

Step 1:  List of most memorable/ significant incidents + St. Martin’s List + Pair Share

Step 2:  Read Sandra Cisneros’ “Eleven”  --it is her story of her eleventh birthday.

Step 3:  Re-read (silently) and annotate: golden lines, reader response starters, features list + Pair Share + Class Discussion (groups present?)

Step 4:  One or two dominant impressions of how Cisneros felt on her eleventh birthday + create a list of supporting detail + Pair Share + Class Discussion

Step 5:  Read Prompt + Review Snapshot/ Thoughtshot

Step 6:  Choose one significant incident + write one or two dominant impression(s) of that incident + brainstorm a list of details to support

Step 7:  Freewrite

Step 8:    Write first draft

Step 9:  Sub-vocalize and touch-ups

Step 10:  Revise draft in steps using another story for emphasis of each feature

Step 11:  Re-write revised draft

Step 12:  check revised graphs in groups using revision sheet

Step 13:  Editing:  Run-ons and absolutes/ adjectives out of order

Step 14:  Edit revised draft to create final draft