Guidelines

The Autobiography essay is not like a standard autobiography. You DO tell your life story – in a way-, but it doesn’t need to be everything. This essay is the next step after the 3 Traits Essay in which you focus on 3 positive traits. In this essay you will choose 1 of your best and most important traits and write an essay which tells your life story, yet always coming back to that main trait.

For example: If I were to write out my creative side, I may tell of when I was a little child and I won an art contest, I may then tell of a time when I painted a mural on the wall in my bedroom. Then I may tell about a time when I created a project at school that was very creative. I may tell about other ways in which I have been creative, other than just art, like coming up with stories, new ways of doing things, or in the way I used to dress. Then I may tell the story of art classes in high school and going to Art College at U of M. Then I may explain how I decided to be a teacher, and yet I still use my creativity in my teaching and at home in various ways which I would explain in detail.

I would give specific, detailed stories to create this story, which is an autobiography, yet at the same time revolves around one, central trait. I would begin with one or two introduction paragraphs and conclude with a conclusion. The essay should be approximately six (6) pages long, not counting cover pages, etc. Times Roman, 12 font standard margins.

Brainstorm

What Will Be Your Central Trait?:

(Examples: Creative, Curious, Compassionate, Positive, Helpful, Responsible, Emotional, Active, etc.)

Describe Supporting Stories:

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Possible Autobiography Outline

Introduction Paragraph or Paragraphs (approx 1/2 - 1 page)

General Ideas about your trait:

Focusing on how it has affected your life:

Exactly how the trait has effected your life and will effect your future (thesis):

Body Paragraphs (approx 4-5 pages)

Detailed Sample Story 1:

Connection to Central Trait:

Transition:

Detailed Sample Story 2:

Connection to Central Trait:

Transition:

Detailed Sample Story 3:

Connection to Central Trait:

Transition:

Detailed Sample Story 4:

Connection to Central Trait:

Transition:

Detailed Sample Story 5:

Connection to Central Trait:

Transition:

Detailed Sample Story 6:

Connection to Central Trait:

Transition:

Detailed Sample Story 7:

Connection to Central Trait:

Transition:

Detailed Sample Story 8:

Connection to Central Trait:

Transition:

Detailed Sample Story 9:

Connection to Central Trait:

Transition:

Conclusion Paragraph/ Paragraphs (1/2 – 1 pgs)

Review how the trait has affected your life:

How will affect your future:

Other ideas, etc on the central trait and its role in your life and future:

Formatting Guidelines

• You should have a title page with the following components: title for the paper, your
• Each page should have your name or an abbreviation of me title in the header.
• Each page should be numbered in the bottom right footer.
• You should use 12-point font, 1" margins and double spacing,
• You should use a conservative font-no italics or ,bold facing.
• PROOFREAD FOR SPELLING AND GRAMMAR MISTAKES. "Spell check" and "grammar check" are not

sufficient to catch all mistakes. Evaluation

Peer Editing Guidelines

• What is the main impression this draft makes? What appears to be its strongest and

weakest features?

• Is the thesis clearly and prominently stated?
• Is the thesis in its present form worth defending, or does it seem too obvious or too

implausible? Is it sufficiently complex? Explain.

• Is the tone consistently appropriate to the writer's purpose? If not, explain.
• Is the thesis adequately supported? What points if any need further evidence or elaboration?
• Is the thesis adequately developed? What further aspects of the thesis might the author discuss?