Personal Narrative Writing Prompt -- 100 POINTS

English 1 Unit 1

Assignment:

In an essay, I want you to tell me about a family tradition you have. Think about the holidays (Thanksgiving,
Christmas, Hanukah, Easter, Fourth of July, birthdays, etc.). Does your family do the same thing every year? Do
you always go to someone’s house? Eat your Aunt’s famous potato casserole? Open presents in a certain order?
Go bowling or out to the movies after eating a huge dinner?

In your essay, I want you to walk me through this tradition from the start to the end. Tell it to me like you would
a story. BE DESCRIPTIVE! As a read it, I should be able to clearly picture everything in my mind. Make sure
you cover the five senses:

1. Sight (what does everything look like?)

2. Sound (what does it sound like? Laughter? What kind of music?)
3. Smell (if there is food, make sure you tell me what it all smells like; make me hungry as I read
it!)
4. Taste (what does the food taste like? My mouth should be watering when I’m done reading it)
5. Touch (feel of the wrapping paper in your hands; holding your children; sitting by a fire, etc.)

What I’m looking for in your narrative:

• At least three paragraphs
• Vivid language
o STRONG VOCABULARY (verbs, nouns, etc.)
o Figurative language (similes, metaphors, personification, etc.)
o Sensory details (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)
o You should be “painting a picture” of the scene with your descriptions
• Description of family tradition
o Discuss three “events” that take place during this tradition
o Told like you are telling me a story (beginning, middle, end, characters, setting, etc.)

Format Requirements (See Example):

• MLA Style Heading

o Your last name and page number in the upper right corner of the header

 Go to “Insert”

 Header

 Blank

 Page Number

 Top of Page

 Plain Number 3

 Type your last name and hit space once

  Click on “Close Header/Footer”

o Double Spaced on the left margin

 Your First and Last Name

 Nioka Clark

 English 1 Unit 1

 Day Month Year (7 September 2010)

o Title Centered

 Should be plain; do not make it bold, underlined, or a bigger font

 DO NOT add an extra space

• Double Spaced

• 12 pt font (Times New Roman or Arial)

MY FAMILY DOESN’T HAVE A FAMILY TRADITION.

WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?

What tradition would you like to start in your family? Tell me what that tradition would be like.

Ask yourself, “Is my teacher going to know if I’m making this whole thing up?”

The answer is, “No.” I’m not going to contact your family and ask them if you’re telling the truth.

Just something to think about… 

 Personal Narrative Outline
English 1 Unit 1
INTRODUCTION

How does your tradition Who takes part in your Descriptive Words (Five
begin? tradition? Senses)
BODY

What What do you What do you What do you What do you What do you
happens see? smell? hear? taste? feel (touch)?
during your
tradition?

CONCLUSION

How does your tradition What are your Descriptive words

end? thoughts/feelings once this
tradition is over?

**EXAMPLE** Personal Narrative Outline **EXAMPLE**

English 1 Unit 1
INTRODUCTION

How does your tradition Who takes part in your Descriptive Words (Five
 begin? tradition? Senses)
Excited, giddy, happy, cold,
On Dec. 22nd after midnight Me tired, confused, anxious
At a 24 hour store (Wal-Mart, My husband Adam
Meijer)

BODY

What What do you What do you What do you What do you What do you
happens see? smell? hear? taste? feel (touch)?
during your
tradition?

We both go Harsh Cinnamon Christmas Free The cold, wet

into Wal-Mart fluorescent music Christmas December air
or Meijer lights Pine Trees cookie
Crying babies samples Hot, dry air
We split up to Last minute Cheap inside the
look for shoppers perfume Various Random store
stocking singing pieces of
stuffers for Christmas Axe body stuffed candy that Soft, squishy
each other decorations spray animals “accidentally” stuffed
(reindeer, fall out of the animals
$10 limit Crying babies Bad body odor penguins, candy tube
from the guy etc.) Hard plastic
Goofy toys, My husband in my aisle toys
stuffed trying to hide Random
animals, odd from me A baby’s full conversations
clearance diaper
items, candy

We pay in
different
aisles at
different
times

Go home,
wrap the
stocking
stuffers, fill
the stocking

Hang them up
and try to
guess what
the other one
bought

Go to bed
CONCLUSION
How does your tradition
end?
After a dinner with just the two
of us the next night (23rd), we
sit down next to the tree and
take turns opening presents in
our stockings
Spend the rest of the evening
playing with the random
assortment of stuff we just
unwrapped
What are your Descriptive words
thoughts/feelings once this
tradition is over?
I love the fact that we can be Laughter, smiles, hugs,
goofy with each other like this. colorful, rainbow, assortment,
My husband only spends $10 candies, sweets, sugar, fluffy,
on me and buys a bunch of soft, smooth, floral, vanilla,
random junk that I will lose or fruity, love, sparkles, music,
don’t know what to do with, soft lights from the Christmas
and I wouldn’t change it for tree
anything. I am much happier
with my erasers, stuffed
animals, and M&Ms than I
would be with expensive
presents because it’s all about
having fun together and
appreciating each other’s
company and creativity. I
wouldn’t change this for
anything.
 Smith 1

John Smith

Mrs. Nioka Clark

English 1 Unit 1

2 September 2010

Turning Procrastination into a Christmas Tradition

My husband and I are major procrastinators. One might even call us the king and queen of

procrastination. That’s why it was no surprise when, two days before our first Christmas together, we realized

our stockings hung empty next to the Christmas tree. With it being after midnight, our choices were restricted to

the local Wal-mart. Instead of complaining about the fact that our gift choices were limited not only by the fact

that only one store was open but also by our dwindling checking account, we were excited, almost giddy, by the

prospect of this new adventure. So, after midnight on Dec. 22nd, we bundled up, hopped in the car, drove to

Wal-mart and started what would soon become my favorite family tradition.
 After a short drive, we pulled in to a surprisingly busy parking lot. While we were still in the warmth of

our car, we laid down the ground rules: we could not spend more than $10 each, we had to split up and stay

away from each other while in the store, and we would meet up in the car when we were finished. With goofy,

ridiculous smiles on both of our faces, we got out of the car and were instantly slammed with the damp, bitterly

cold December wind. We battled our way to the entrance and sighed with relief once we were surrounded by the

hot, dry air inside the store. With a quick kiss, we said goodbye and went on our separate gift-buying journeys. I

wondered from aisle to aisle, squinting under the harsh, fluorescent lights. I ate free, stale Christmas cookie

samples from the bakery, sneezed continuously as I walked into a random cloud of cheap perfume leftover by a

group of teenagers playing with the testers, and had a ridiculously good time turning on all of the singing

stuffed animals and watching them dance to an off-rhythm Christmas song medley. I wandered into the

clearance aisle and spent most of my allotted $10 buying my husband fun toys and discounted candy. Though it

was mostly junk we did not need, I was excited about giving it to him because I knew it was lead to hours of

fun, inside jokes and lasting memories. As I paid for my stocking stuffers and ran out to the car to wait for my

Smith 1

husband to finish his purchases, I was surprised at how excited I was for him to open this random junk I just

bought. That’s when I realized that as long as we could be silly and have fun together, how much money we had

would never matter.

The next night, we had a nice Christmas dinner with just the two of us, since the rest of the holiday

would be spent with our families. Afterwards we put on Christmas music, turned on the Christmas tree lights,

and sat down in front of the tree, both of us smiling ear-to-ear, excited for the other to begin opening our

stocking. I do not remember any of the gifts we bought, but I clearly remember how our laughter blended in

with the music, how my husband’s smile was brighter than the lights on the tree, and how the happiness I felt

warmed me more than the hot chocolate I was drinking. That night we both decided to make this our family

tradition, and we have kept it going every year since. I cannot wait until the day when we our family grows and

we can pass this tradition on to our children.

 Writing Rubric

If writer does not accurately address requirements of prompt, grade may be no higher than D.
If grammatical and mechanical errors significantly impede meaning, grade may be no higher than D.
Superior
 Writer uses distinctive voice that incorporates appropriate tone and shows awareness of audience and task.
6 

Thesis is exceptional and relevant.
Introduction engages the reader in a unique way.
A+ 

Body paragraphs clearly develop a single main idea with unique support for the thesis.
Conclusion moves past summary to offer unique reflection, application, and/or evaluation.
A 

Writer uses sophisticated and effective vocabulary and exceptional transitions.
Writer uses sophisticated sentence variety and includes no errors in sentence structure and usage.
 Essay includes no errors in grammar and mechanics.
Above Average
 Writer uses clear voice that incorporates appropriate tone and shows awareness of audience and task.
5 

Thesis is strong and relevant.
Introduction engages the reader in an insightful way.
A- 

Body paragraphs clearly develop a single main idea with insightful support for the thesis.
Conclusion may include summary, but offers some insightful reflection, application, and/or evaluation.
B+ 

Writer uses highly effective vocabulary and strong transitions.
Writer incorporates sentence variety and includes few errors in sentence structure and usage.
 Essay includes few errors in grammar and mechanics.
Average
 Writer uses elements of voice that may incorporate appropriate tone and show some awareness of audience
4 
and task.
Thesis is adequate and relevant.
B 

Introduction engages the reader in a formulaic, predictable way.
Body paragraphs develop a single main idea with adequate support for the thesis.
B- 

Conclusion restates the thesis and thoroughly summarizes the information.
Writer uses effective vocabulary and appropriate transitions.
C+ 

Writer attempts some sentence variety and/or includes occasional errors in sentence structure and usage.
Essay includes occasional errors in grammar and mechanics.
 Below Average
 Writer uses elements of voice, but may fail to incorporate appropriate tone or show some awareness of
3 
audience and task.
Thesis is marginally effective and vague.
C 

Introduction somewhat engages the reader.
Body paragraphs develop a single main idea with minimal support for the thesis.
C- 

Conclusion vaguely restates the thesis and summarizes some of the information.
Writer uses predictable vocabulary and formulaic transitions.
D+  Writer relies on simple and repetitive constructions and includes multiple errors in sentence structure and
usage that interfere with meaning.
 Writer includes multiple errors in grammar and mechanics that interfere with meaning.
Unacceptable
 Writer lacks voice by reflecting poor awareness of audience and task.
2 

Thesis is ineffective and vague.
Introduction fails to engage the reader.
D  Body paragraphs demonstrate inadequate development of ideas and/or provide insufficient support for the
thesis.
D- 

Conclusion briefly attempts to restate the thesis and summarize the information.
Writer uses simplistic vocabulary and few transitions.
 Writer uses one or two basic sentence patterns and includes multiple errors in sentence structure that
seriously interfere with meaning.
 Essay includes multiple errors in grammar and mechanics that seriously interference with meaning.
Deficient / Incomplete
 Writer has no sense of voice.
1 

Essay does not include a thesis.
Introduction does not attempt to engage the reader.
F 

Body paragraphs demonstrate little or no development of ideas and/or do no provide support for the thesis.
Conclusion makes no attempt to restate the thesis and summarize the information.
 Writer uses limited vocabulary and no transitions.
 Essay is too brief to demonstrate variety and includes few if any complete sentences.
 Essay includes excessive errors in grammar and mechanics that seriously interfere with meaning.

Family Tradition Speech

50 Points
English 1 Unit 1

Assignment

You must turn your family tradition narrative into a speech. Basically all you have to do is read out loud what
you’ve already written. Easy, right? 

Speech Requirements

• Must be 2-4 minutes long

• If your speech is less than two minutes, you will be asked to work on it and give it again at a later date
• Can be given during class time OR you can schedule a time to come in and deliver it
o You must schedule this with me at least one class in advance
• YOU CANNOT READ FROM YOUR PAPER DURING YOUR SPEECH
• However, you can make note cards 
• You must have some sort of visual aide to accompany your speech

Grading

Besides content, you’ll be graded on HOW you give this speech.

I’ll be looking for:
• Voice and Tone
o Does the tone of your voice match the story?
o Is it obvious that you are nervous, or is your voice strong and confident?
• Eye Contact
o You should look at the audience more than at your note cards
o Trick: Look just above everyone’s heads. It will seem like you are maintaining eye contact, but it
won’t freak you out as much.
• Non-verbal delivery
o Volume (speaking too softly, too loudly, etc.)
o Rate (speaking too quickly, too slowly, etc.)
o Vocalized pauses (are your pauses for effect or did you just forget what you were going to say?)
o Gestures (Be in control of your hands at all times!)
o Poise (laughing, posture, complaining, etc.)

Make sure you practice before you deliver it for a grade!

Family Tradition Narrative Speech Rubric

If speaker does not address assignment criteria, grade may be no higher than D.
Superior
6  Speaker uses vivid, imagery-infused narration to tell the story.
 Speaker effectively emphasizes the event’s significance through strong mood
setting and description of change.
 Frequent eye contact with all audience members establishes a strong bond with
the audience.
 Speaker exhibits exceptional control of non-verbal delivery (volume, rate,
vocalized pauses, gestures, poise).
Above Average
5  Speaker uses effective imagery in narration to tell the story.
 Speaker solidly emphasizes the event’s significance through strong mood setting
and description of change.
 Effective eye contact with most audience members establishes a bond with the
audience.
 Speaker exhibits strong control of non-verbal delivery (volume, rate, vocalized
pauses, gestures, poise).
Average
4  Speaker uses some imagery in narration to tell the story.
 Speaker attempts to emphasize the event’s significance through some mood
setting and description of change.
  Adequate eye contact with some audience members establishes a bond with the
audience.
 Speaker exhibits adequate control of non-verbal delivery (volume, rate, vocalized
pauses, gestures, poise).
Below Average
3  Speaker disjointedly uses imagery in narration to tell the story.
 Speaker merely mentions the event’s significance through basic identification of
mood and description of change.
 Limited eye contact with few audience members establishes a weak bond with the
audience.
 Speaker exhibits marginally effective control of non-verbal delivery (volume, rate,
vocalized pauses, gestures, poise).
Unacceptable
2  Speaker uses simplistic narration to tell the story.
 Speaker mentions the event’s significance yet fails to set mood or sufficiently
describe change.
 Insufficient eye contact with audience members prevents the speaker from
establishing a bond with the audience.
 Speaker exhibits ineffective control of non-verbal delivery (volume, rate,
vocalized pauses, gestures, poise).
Deficient / Incomplete
1  Speech does not supply detail in narration to tell the story.
 Speaker does not mention event’s significance, fails to set mood, and does not
use description of change.
 Lack of eye contact prevents the speaker from establishing a bond with the
audience.
 Speaker exhibits little control of non-verbal delivery (volume, rate, vocalized
pauses, gestures, poise).