Writing Assignment One

Writing Assignment 1:

You will be writing a two-page (double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 font)autobiography. Although an autobiography is the story of your own life, it does not mean that you will write about your birth, how you were the cutest baby ever, all the way up to what you ate for breakfast this morning. Instead, a short autobiography is telling the story of a single moment or event. That means you will need to give details, vivid descriptions and background if necessary.

To focus your story, select one of the following topics:

Your most embarrassing moment
Your first day of school (Kindergarten or the start of a new school)
Your first day at a new job
Breaking a bone, or some injury that results in a trip to the hospital

A few guidelines: Whatever it is, keep it clean. I'll be reading every word, and all your writing should be school appropriate. That means, no dirty words, drugs, alcohol or anything that would make your grandma blush.

Just like ALL writings, yours should have a central focus, or thesis. Since this is an autobiography, you will not need to use the five-paragraph essay format that is required with most writing. Instead, be creative with your use of foreshadowing, literary devices and story-telling abilities.

Remember to fully tell a story with a beginning, middle and end, even if the story told is very short. You may have falled down the stairs in front of a lot of people. The fall only took a few seconds, but there are details in the story that can make such a short period of time fill the two pages you need.

Your rough draft is due before class starts. Check your pacing guide for the correct date. Rough drafts are an automatic A if you turn it in on time. You will be peer editing with a friend on its due-date, so a late paper will result in 10 points per day being taken off.

Your final draft will be graded for length, content, a focused message, and spelling/grammar.

Writing Assignments

All 9th and 10th graders will write four short essays for class, in a variety of different styles. Everyone will write an autobiography, a descriptive writing piece, a persuasive piece and one on goals for the future.

Standards Met: ELA9RL4/ELAWLRL4 The student employs a variety of writing genres to demonstrate a comprehensive grasp of significant ideas in selected literary works.

ELA9W1 The student produces writing that establishes an appropriate organizational structure, sets a context and engages the reader, maintains a coherent focus throughout, and signals closure.

What does this mean? The State Georgia says that all 9th and 10th grade English and Language Arts students need to be able to create different types of writing. This is your chance to be creative and to express yourself (for the most part) freely.

Each writing prompt will give you the opportunity to write a rough draft, revise, peer edit with a friend, revise and submit a final draft. That will help you go through the writing process and complete your best work possible.

Good luck!

Welcome to Class!

Hello and welcome to 9th and 10th grade literature! I am looking forward to teaching this class, and getting to know all of you.

During this class, you will be responsible for reading, writing and grammar via NovaNet. You will have a lot of freedom with what you choose to read. However, I request that you bring a book with you every day to class. You are responsible for keeping a reading journal, and I do not mind you reading in class, if you are on or ahead of pace with NovaNet and writing pieces.

Please use this blog to find all of your necessary materials. Remember to keep up daily so we can assure your success in the course!

Your syllabus is posted here in an effort to save paper. Also, with each assignment, the standards addressed are posted to the blog as well.

Good luck!
Mrs. S.