 Included in the Rough Draft and Final Draft Must Be: 1. Thematic introduction—1 page 2. 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

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.

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”

 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

Packing to move away to college (overused! Don’t use!!) A series of letters or phone calls Dreams/Nightmares Foods that remind you of different times in your life The different cultures that comprise you The best (or the worst) Song lyrics

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)

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.

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.

Continue this process until you have a final product!

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

The 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 8 th —Brainstorm and have at least two thematic ideas to drive your autobiography  Tuesday, November 9 th —Decide on a thematic idea and begin new memoir/snapshot  Wednesday, November 10 th —Complete new memoir

 November 11 th & 12 th —Complete 2 nd new memoir  November 13 th & 14 th —Interview family/conduct research for preface & complete the preface for November 15 th  November 15 th - complete thematic introduction  November 16 th & 17 th —Complete the afterword

 November 18 th -21 st —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

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.

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.

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

 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.