Personal Essay

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?


““Greatest Lesson”Greatest Lesson”The greatest The greatest lesson I ever lesson I ever learned…learned…

9/28/10


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?


A Duty to Family…A Duty to Family…




There is no GodThere is no God




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?


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?



““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


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.


““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


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


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)?


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


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.


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


2nd pd.


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


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.


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


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



ROUGH DRAFT DUE WEDNESDAYROUGH DRAFT DUE WEDNESDAY

MINIMUM 6 paragraphsMINIMUM 6 paragraphs

MUST INCLUDE PLANNING SHEETMUST INCLUDE PLANNING SHEET


““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


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


““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

Education

Personal Essay