PERSONAL ESSAY III - PLACE Structure and Technique: Narrative, Grammatical, and Mechanical Techniques Personal Essay Lesson Three: Writing About Place Coming to Terms With Place Video: Land of SleepLand of Sleep In-Class Reading and Worksheet: Eudora Welty’s “The Little Store” Brainstorming: Where Do I Start?

CONSTRUCTING A MEMORY MAP On a blank sheet of paper, draw a map of your community. Identify significant landmarks and buildings in your community. For each place, write a brief explanation for why that place is important or memorable to you. Fun experience Important event Shocking incident When identifying a house, consider the people who live there.

WHERE DO I START? QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: Does your family have a special place it goes for vacations, a day out, or reunions? Is there a place where you had an important conversation with a friend? Is there a place where something traumatic happened to you? Is there a place where you go to be by yourself? Where are your parents from? Where are your grandparents from? Is there a special place you go with friends? Is there a place where something happened that changed your town, state, or nation? Are there places nearby where something of historical significance to the state or nation happened. Are there places that have cultural significance to groups who live in your community?

HOMEWORK: PERSONAL ESSAY #3 – COMING TO TERMS WITH PLACE Tell me a story set in an important, meaningful, or memorable place from your life. The place should be important to the story. What happened in that place? [Your main objective should be to force your reader into your place through the use of descriptive language and creative narrative techniques. Also, don’t forget the people and things that inhabit your place.]