Included in the Rough Draft and Final Draft Must Be:

1. Thematic introduction—1 page2. Four “snapshots”/memoirs (3 pages each)3. thematic, transitional paragraphs

between each “snapshot”—4. Thematic closing—1/2 to 1 page

You are essentially creating a FRAME STORY

Final Autobiography Requirements

Review your Memoirs. Highlight the main idea of each memoir

the significance of an event in shaping you as an individual, or the reason why you remember this particular event, or what this particular event says about you

Discard any memoirs that seem trivial or insignificant in determining your beliefs, personality, reactions, or future.

How to Approach a Theme

Brainstorm all the possible ways you might want to organize your final paper. The number of ways is only limited by your vision or imagination. You are creating a FRAME STORY in which you craft a theme and a way of telling the “stories within the story”

Brainstorm

As a thematic account of some important life experiences

Major successes in your life

major obstacles overcome

times when you learned something

Times when you surprised yourself

moments you were out of your “comfort”

zone

Organizational Plan~Objective Approaches

Packing to move away to college (overused! Don’t use!!)

A series of letters or phone callsDreams/NightmaresFoods that remind you of different times in your lifeThe different cultures that comprise youThe best (or the worst) Song lyrics

Organizational Plan~ Subjective Approaches (examples)

Write a 1 to 2 page INTRODUCTION based upon the thematic organization you have chosen.

This is essentially the first chapter of a book- it should keep the reader wanting more and have an understanding of your organizational approach (your frame)

Step 1—Thematic Introduction

Then select a story from your life that seems to follow logically from the introduction.

This story may be one you have written about before, and in fact, may incorporate carefully selected, revised and edited pieces of a past memoir.

However, in no case should a prior memoir simply be inserted wholly into your final autobiography.

Step 2—Memoir #1

Create a paragraph tied to your introduction (thematic idea) to link to another story in your life that fits the overall theme you have chosen.

This paragraph should fit your frame! Once again, you are encouraged to

create totally new stories (or chapters) that fit with your theme, but you MAY use portions of prior memoirs as a basis for some of the stories in your Final Autobiography.

Step 3—Thematic Transitional Paragraph

Continue this process until you have a final product!

Step 4—Continue the Process

Then write a 1 to 2 page conclusion, linked to the introduction to finish it up.

Step 5—Thematic Conclusion

The Rough DraftThe Rough Draft is due no later than Tuesday,

November 29th!Rough Draft must be submitted to turnitin.com!

It’s due whether you are in school or not! * If you submit before Thanksgiving…*

Monday, November 8th—Brainstorm and have at least two thematic ideas to drive your autobiography

Tuesday, November 9th—Decide on a thematic idea and begin new memoir/snapshot

Wednesday, November 10th—Complete new memoir

Suggested Timeline for Writing

November 11th & 12th—Complete 2nd new memoir

November 13th & 14th—Interview family/conduct research for preface & complete the preface for November 15th

November 15th- complete thematic introduction

November 16th & 17th—Complete the afterword

November 18th-21st—Add thematic paragraph connections and complete your thematic conclusion.

Must include a minimum of 5 developed stories from your life—2-3 pages each

Must meet all the requirements of the final paper.

Should be carefully proofread! Should be submitted to

turnitin.com Should have standard , 1 inch

margins Should have numbered pages

The Rough Draft Specifications

1. Organization--Thematic development is both consistent and effective 30 pts.

2. Richness of Details (SDT) 30 pts.3. The Preface and Afterword meet

requirements 30 pts.4. Overall product (judgment reserved for

teacher) 10 pts.

FCA’s

The FINAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Due: Friday, January 6 (whether you are in school or not)

Must be neatly bound: Spiral/Other professional binding (Kinkos,

Staples, etc.)- Preferred Way! In a Business or Academic Report cover

DO NOT SUBMIT a Final Autobiography that is merely stapled in the corner, or in a flimsy plastic sleeve with a sliding plastic spine. Your grade will be lowered if you do either of the above.

The FINAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY

May include scanned-in pictures, drawings, cartoons, poetry, etc. if you wish. (Will add to the overall presentation grade).

The FINAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Must have numbered pages and a title page.

Text must be in black ink on white paper

Captions and Titles (chapter titles are optional. Your paper can flow as one long chapter) may be in a more decorative font and may be in color.

The FINAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY