Writing Your Autobiography

You will concentrate some of your efforts each quarter into writing your four stage autobiography: birth-elementary, the elementary years, the adolescent years, and a future projection and goal setting stage. I will help with writing prompts, but not only will you be writing about what you remember about each stage, but also you will plan and conduct interviews with those in the know about certain aspects that you do not remember. The following will be the process utilized for each of the four stages: 1. Planning This will include your random notes about this stage of your life; a decision about formatting the stage: topical, chronological, climatic, cause-effect, descriptive, or a combination of these; and the completion of writing prompts. (One-Two Weeks) 2. First draft (Two weeks) 3. Feedback. 4. Stylistic, Structural, and Mechanical Revision. (Two Weeks) 5. Final. Requirements: Each stage must be at least six pages except the final stage. (The first three stages will probably be much longer.) Your style, structure, usage, and mechanics must be acceptable according to a rubric. (Especially, we will work on conciseness and clarity.) You are encouraged to incorporate the following: 1. Extended narratives 2. Anecdotes 3. Personality sketches 4. Descriptions of places and people 5. Accurate information 6. Copies of important documents, letters, photographs, etc. Authors Perspective: Your life is important and has significance. This is your opportunity to record your life to date for you, your family, and for your future family. (I have not done an autobiographical unit for several years, but I still have students from twenty and thirty years ago who still are thankful for the unit. Just last year I had a young woman write to me to thank me for her brothers

autobiography. He died about ten years ago, and his wife and children have found comfort in his memories and reflections.) Mr. Phelans Priorities: You are completing the first segment of your lives, and you have already undergone many changes and have had many experiences. I want you to look closely at your development, pat yourself on the back for your mature progressions no matter how many setbacks you may have had, and ponder the future. I want you to work hard on your writing skills, especially with stylistic and grammatical expectations so that you may be comfortable during any future educational and professional experiences. I want you to appreciate your self-worth and your growth. Time Aspects: Each stage will be due prior to the end of the nine weeks, and I will provide as much class time as possible. You are encouraged to work on the stages outside class time as much as possible. Final Comment: All of us have a combination of positives and negatives in our lives and have an array of successes, failures, happy moments, and sad moments. Unfortunately, some of us seem to travel a more difficult path than others. Perhaps this statement is a reality or just a perception. At any rate, we will probably all agree that life can be great, and it can be difficult. I know that some of you may find difficulty in confronting past or current feelings. However, you are now young adults, and certainly an element of adulthood is facing truth head on. Personally, I have suffered through two different (parental) divorces; I have often struggled financially because of my decision to teach, and I have often questioned my self worth. Contrarily, much of my life, including my family and career, has yielded beautiful rewards. Through it all, I have sought to grow from each success or failure. To do that, I have continually examined my life. That is exactly what I am asking you to do. Believe me, there will be much work but ever greater reward.