personal essay
DESCRIPTION
The Personal Essay segment of the Personal Writing Unit.TRANSCRIPT
Personal EssayPersonal Essay
English 4English 4
Writer’s NotebookWriter’s Notebook
I believe…I believe…**If you want this to be helpful, do not write about **If you want this to be helpful, do not write about
religion. Also, don’t just write the R Kelly lyrics (it’s religion. Also, don’t just write the R Kelly lyrics (it’s been done).been done).
Also, think for half a second before you ask for a title.Also, think for half a second before you ask for a title.
9/27/10
Content: Personal Essay
Personal EssayPersonal Essay Focus on a personal philosophyFocus on a personal philosophy
– philosophy = the most basic beliefs, philosophy = the most basic beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group individual or group
Present it as a an insight into Present it as a an insight into lifelife
Examples:Examples:
You never know until you You never know until you try.try.
Make ripples, not waves.Make ripples, not waves. Do no harm. Do no harm. Don’t talk the game. Play Don’t talk the game. Play
the game.the game. To thine own self be true. To thine own self be true. Be excellent to each Be excellent to each
other.other. Carpe diem.Carpe diem. Try not. Do or do not. Try not. Do or do not.
There is no try.There is no try.
Don’t dream it. Be it.Don’t dream it. Be it. Failure isn’t failure, if a Failure isn’t failure, if a
lesson’s learned.lesson’s learned. Be cool.Be cool. Always go to the Always go to the
funeral.funeral. Lead by example.Lead by example. Change is good.Change is good. Pain is temporary. Pride Pain is temporary. Pride
is forever.is forever. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix If it ain’t broke, don’t fix
it.it.
Support (Explain it)Support (Explain it)
Tell what it meansTell what it means Support it with personal experiences:Support it with personal experiences:
An experience that taught you the philosophy.An experience that taught you the philosophy. An experience that proved the insightAn experience that proved the insight An experience in which you applied the An experience in which you applied the
philosophy philosophy An experience that reinforced the philosophyAn experience that reinforced the philosophy
Tell how you still use the philosophy Tell how you still use the philosophy today.today.
What do you believe?What do you believe?
You are receiving a list of belief You are receiving a list of belief statementsstatements
Circle the appropriate statement Circle the appropriate statement that corresponds with your level that corresponds with your level of agreement or disagreementof agreement or disagreement
Share Your StoriesShare Your Stories
Four RoundsFour Rounds
I will read a belief statementI will read a belief statement You will write it down and move to the You will write it down and move to the
section of the room that matches your section of the room that matches your agreementagreement
Find someone in your section and share Find someone in your section and share your reasons why you agree/disagree. your reasons why you agree/disagree. Write down Write down your classmate’syour classmate’s reasons. reasons.
Why are we doing Why are we doing this?this?
Writer’s NotebookWriter’s Notebook
““Greatest Lesson”Greatest Lesson”The greatest The greatest lesson I ever lesson I ever learned…learned…
9/28/10
Content: Personal Essay
Personal EssayPersonal Essay Focus on a personal philosophyFocus on a personal philosophy
– philosophy = the most basic beliefs, philosophy = the most basic beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group individual or group
Present it as a an insight into Present it as a an insight into lifelife
Sample Personal Sample Personal EssaysEssays Read each essayRead each essay
What insight is each writer What insight is each writer sharing?sharing?
Why are these two essays Why are these two essays together? What do they have in together? What do they have in common? (you’re going to have to common? (you’re going to have to get deep with this.)get deep with this.)
A Duty to Family…A Duty to Family…
What is the thesis?What is the thesis?– Duty to family is more important Duty to family is more important
than the self.than the self. What experiences support the What experiences support the
thesis?thesis?
How does the writer explain the How does the writer explain the philosophy?philosophy?
There is no GodThere is no God
What is the thesis?What is the thesis?
What experiences support the What experiences support the thesis?thesis?
How does the writer explain the How does the writer explain the philosophy?philosophy?
A Duty to Family…A Duty to Family…
What is the thesis?What is the thesis?
What experiences support the What experiences support the thesis?thesis?
How does the writer explain the How does the writer explain the philosophy?philosophy?
There is no GodThere is no God
What is the thesis?What is the thesis?
What experiences support the What experiences support the thesis?thesis?
How does the writer explain the How does the writer explain the philosophy?philosophy?
Always Go To The Always Go To The FuneralFuneral What is the thesis?What is the thesis?
How does the writer organize her How does the writer organize her ideas?ideas?
How does the writer explain the How does the writer explain the philosophy?philosophy?
Freeing Myself Freeing Myself Through…Through… What is the thesis?What is the thesis?
How does the writer organize her How does the writer organize her ideas?ideas?
How does the writer explain the How does the writer explain the philosophy?philosophy?
Writer’s NotebookWriter’s Notebook
““Better World”Better World”The world would The world would be a better place be a better place if people would if people would just realize…just realize…
9/29/10
Content: Personal Essay
Finish Personal Essay samplingFinish Personal Essay sampling
Writer’s NotebookWriter’s Notebook““Coda”Coda”
Read (holy crap! He said “read!”) Ray Read (holy crap! He said “read!”) Ray Bradbury’s “Coda” to Bradbury’s “Coda” to Fahrenheit 451Fahrenheit 451. . {**class set. Do not write on**}{**class set. Do not write on**}
1.1. What does Bradbury have to say about What does Bradbury have to say about censorship?censorship?
2.2. What do you think about censorship? Is What do you think about censorship? Is it a problem? Is it it a problem? Is it dangerous/bad/evil/detrimental in our dangerous/bad/evil/detrimental in our society?society?
9/30/10
Content: Personal EssayStill ¾ page
TodayToday
Students willStudents will– Analyze the structure of a Personal Essay Analyze the structure of a Personal Essay
by putting an “out of order” essay in order.by putting an “out of order” essay in order. WR-HS-2.3.0 Organization: Students will create unity and coherence to
accomplish the focused purpose – WR-E-4.7.0– Focusing
Connecting with prior learning and experience Thinking about a subject, an experience, a question, an issue
or a problem to determine a meaningful reason to write
Quick ListQuick List
At the end of your WN entry:At the end of your WN entry:– Make a list:Make a list:
““My three best thoughts/ideas My three best thoughts/ideas about censorship”about censorship”
Failure is a Good ThingFailure is a Good Thing
The printer failed! The printer failed! This essay is out This essay is out of order!of order!
Number the Number the paragraphs to put paragraphs to put the essay back in the essay back in the best order.the best order.
Writer’s NotebookWriter’s Notebook
““Making it in the world”Making it in the world”One of your fellow seniors is having a One of your fellow seniors is having a
rough time. He/she just can’t seem to rough time. He/she just can’t seem to figure out how the world works. You figure out how the world works. You can’t solve all the problems at once, can’t solve all the problems at once, but you can help. Give your best piece but you can help. Give your best piece of advice for making it in the world. Be of advice for making it in the world. Be sure to explain exactly what you mean sure to explain exactly what you mean and how you learned this.and how you learned this.
10/5/10
Content: Personal Essay
Objectives
Students will discuss perspectives/analyses of philosophy statements.– WR-E-4.7.0– Focusing
Connecting with prior learning and experience Thinking about a subject, an experience, a question,
an issue or a problem to determine a meaningful reason to write
Personal Essay RecapPersonal Essay Recap
Focus on an insight into lifeFocus on an insight into life– Something you know about life and Something you know about life and
how to live ithow to live it Support/Prove it withSupport/Prove it with
– Life experiencesLife experiences How you learned itHow you learned it How you apply it to your lifeHow you apply it to your life How it will continue to affect your lifeHow it will continue to affect your life
– ExplanationExplanation Exactly what it meansExactly what it means
Class DiscussionClass Discussion
We will have a class discussion.We will have a class discussion.
RULES:RULES:– ONLY ONE person speaks at a timeONLY ONE person speaks at a time– Respect ALL opinionsRespect ALL opinions
BUT, just because “it’s my opinion” does not make it BUT, just because “it’s my opinion” does not make it impervious to criticism. Your opinion can be wrong.impervious to criticism. Your opinion can be wrong.
– DISCUSSDISCUSS Pay attention to what others are sayingPay attention to what others are saying Keep the conversation going. Don’t just wait Keep the conversation going. Don’t just wait
your turn to say something random.your turn to say something random.
Tracking SheetTracking Sheet
Interesting Things I thought during the discussion
Interesting Things other people said during the discussion
Class DiscussionClass Discussion
What examples of censorship do we see What examples of censorship do we see today?today?
Is this a problem? (why/why not)Is this a problem? (why/why not)
Is censorship ever okay? (why/not)Is censorship ever okay? (why/not)
How do you balance the right to free speech How do you balance the right to free speech with the need to censor yourself in public with the need to censor yourself in public (appropriate speech for different settings)?(appropriate speech for different settings)?
Class DiscussionClass Discussion
There is a common expression, “What There is a common expression, “What doesn’t kill us only makes us doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger.” Some people believe that is stronger.” Some people believe that is not true. “It may not kill you, but it can not true. “It may not kill you, but it can make you miserable and not stronger.”make you miserable and not stronger.”
Which of these perspectives is right? Which of these perspectives is right? How do you know this?How do you know this?
TOPIC: “What doesn’t kill you...”TOPIC: “What doesn’t kill you...”
Class Discussion
Some people believe “it’s okay as long as you try.” Others think that’s a crutch for unsuccessful people, and you either do something or you don’t.
Which side is right? Why? How do you know this?
TOPIC: “Try (or not)”
Class Discussion
People will tell you to pick a career you will be passionate about and gain personal satisfaction from, money be damned. Others will tell you to work for a paycheck and get your self-worth and personal satisfaction from your personal life.
Which side is right? Why? How do you know this?
TOPIC: “Self-Worth”
Class Discussion
How should people define “success?” Is it a monetary value? Impact on others? Personal? Professional? Public? Private? Fame?
How should people define “success?” Why do believe that is the way?
TOPIC: “Success”
Index Card
As many ideas as you can think of
Potential topics for discussion– Must fit Personal Essay
Writer’s NotebookWriter’s Notebook““Insight Analysis”Insight Analysis”
Analyze oneAnalyze one (1)(1) of the following statements: of the following statements: The smallest things can make the biggest difference.The smallest things can make the biggest difference. Listen to your elders.Listen to your elders. A dead end street is a good place to turn around.A dead end street is a good place to turn around. Respect others before you expect others to respect youRespect others before you expect others to respect you If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right. Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right. Do what you have to before you do what you want to.Do what you have to before you do what you want to.
10/6/10
Content: Personal Essay
POP QUIZ!
You may use your notes
You may not use your neighbor
TodayToday
Students willStudents will– Analyze the structure of a Personal Essay by Analyze the structure of a Personal Essay by
putting an “out of order” essay in order.putting an “out of order” essay in order. WR-HS-2.3.0 Organization: Students will create unity and coherence to
accomplish the focused purpose – Select a topic for their Personal Essays
WR-E-4.7.0 Focusing Connecting with prior learning and experience Thinking about a subject, an experience, a question, an issue or
a problem to determine a meaningful reason to write
Who Says You Can’t?Who Says You Can’t?
The printer The printer failed! This failed! This essay is out of essay is out of order!order!
Groups of 3Groups of 3 Put the essay Put the essay
back in the back in the best order.best order.
Writer’s NotebookWriter’s Notebook““Insight Analysis”Insight Analysis”
Analyze oneAnalyze one (1)(1) of the following statements: of the following statements: The smallest things can make the biggest difference.The smallest things can make the biggest difference. Listen to your elders.Listen to your elders. A dead end street is a good place to turn around.A dead end street is a good place to turn around. Respect others before you expect others to respect youRespect others before you expect others to respect you If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right. Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right. Do what you have to before you do what you want to.Do what you have to before you do what you want to.
10/7/10
Content: Personal Essay
2nd pd.
Writer’s NotebookWriter’s Notebook““Insight Analysis”Insight Analysis”
Analyze Analyze anotheranother one one (1)(1) of the following statements: of the following statements: The smallest things can make the biggest difference.The smallest things can make the biggest difference. Listen to your elders.Listen to your elders. A dead end street is a good place to turn around.A dead end street is a good place to turn around. Respect others before you expect others to respect youRespect others before you expect others to respect you If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right. Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right. Do what you have to before you do what you want to.Do what you have to before you do what you want to.
10/7/10
Content: Personal Essay
TodayToday
Students willStudents will– Analyze the structure of a Personal Essay by Analyze the structure of a Personal Essay by
putting an “out of order” essay in order.putting an “out of order” essay in order. WR-HS-2.3.0 Organization: Students will create unity and coherence to
accomplish the focused purpose – Select a topic for their Personal Essays
WR-E-4.7.0 Focusing Connecting with prior learning and experience Thinking about a subject, an experience, a question, an issue or
a problem to determine a meaningful reason to write
Structure Puzzle Wrap-Up You should have a sheet of paper
with the number of your batch of paragraphs and the letters in order of the work you did yesterday
12 minutes to finish.
Writer’s NotebookWriter’s Notebook““Insight Analysis”Insight Analysis”
Analyze oneAnalyze one (1)(1) of the following: of the following: What is real friendship?What is real friendship? Is respect important in life? Why?Is respect important in life? Why? What is the secret to success?What is the secret to success? Can money buy happiness?Can money buy happiness? Can/should people learn from failure? Do you?Can/should people learn from failure? Do you? Is life fair? How does knowing that help you in life?Is life fair? How does knowing that help you in life? Is it better to be a logical person or an emotional one?Is it better to be a logical person or an emotional one?
10/8/10
Content: Personal Essay
Finding PurposeFinding Purpose
Brainstorm as many Brainstorm as many insights/beliefs that people could insights/beliefs that people could use as Personal Essay theses.use as Personal Essay theses.
Put the on the board.Put the on the board.
Purpose SelectionPurpose Selection
Write three (3) insights that apply Write three (3) insights that apply to your lifeto your life
Choose two (2) to develop furtherChoose two (2) to develop further– What does each mean?What does each mean?– How did you learn it?How did you learn it?
How does it influence you today?How does it influence you today? One will become the topic of your One will become the topic of your
Personal EssayPersonal Essay
Personal EssayPersonal Essay
ROUGH DRAFT DUE WEDNESDAYROUGH DRAFT DUE WEDNESDAY
MINIMUM 6 paragraphsMINIMUM 6 paragraphs
MUST INCLUDE PLANNING SHEETMUST INCLUDE PLANNING SHEET
Writer’s NotebookWriter’s Notebook
““Personal Essay”Personal Essay”Your classmate Billy Bob just showed up Your classmate Billy Bob just showed up after missing three weeks of class. He after missing three weeks of class. He leaned over to you and said, “Dude. What’s leaned over to you and said, “Dude. What’s up with this Personal Essay stuff? I don’t up with this Personal Essay stuff? I don’t get it.”get it.”Explain Personal Essays to Billy Bob. Explain Personal Essays to Billy Bob. Remember, the guy is not too swift. You Remember, the guy is not too swift. You need to explain it clearly and in detail.need to explain it clearly and in detail.
10/11/10
Content: Personal Essay
Senior Panoramic
TOMORROW
Wear BLACK shirt
9am
Wait for announcement
Group Essay Analysis
Work in groups
Read a Personal Essay
Analyze it for craft not content
Report findings to the class
T-chart
Everyone
In class notes
You will report back to the class
Writer’s NotebookWriter’s Notebook
““MVP”MVP” Who is the most valuable person in your Who is the most valuable person in your
life? Why?life? Why? **No girlfriends/boyfriends **No girlfriends/boyfriends
– (this will be a rule for memoirs)(this will be a rule for memoirs)
10/12/10
Content: Memoir
Intro pptIntro ppt
Batch of Beginnings
Try all 6
Each intro should be an intro for your Personal Essay– Yes. – Six different intros for the same essay.
Out of 40 points 6 = 60 5 = 50 4 = 40