you will be writing an essay that narrates and/or describes a significant event, person, object, or place in your life.
- Have an organized, attention-getting introduction that clearly indicates the event, person, object, or place the paper will discuss. The introduction should also include an underlined thesis statement that specifically indicates, in order, which aspects of the topic the paper’s body paragraphs will address.
- Have at least three body paragraphs that include vivid and specific details, descriptions, examples, scenes, dialogue, actions, and/or anecdotes concerning the event, person, object, or place.
- Have a conclusion that clearly explains why this event, person, object, or place was/is significant to you. (In other words, end the paper by explaining the permanent impact the event, person, object, or place has had on you; what you learned from the event, person, object, or place; and what a reader should learn from your experiences with this event, person, object, or place.)
Your paper should:
- Be about 750 words (about 2 to 3 typed pages) long;
- Be typed in font size 12 using Times New Roman as the font style;
- Follow MLA guidelines for format (see pages 41-43 for an explanation of MLA format, and see pages 44-51 for a sample paper formatted according to MLA guidelines–you do need to follow the margins, spacing, page numbering, heading, and titling shown on these pages, and you do not need to include graphics, research or a works cited, or a separate cover sheet or title page);
- Use correct spelling and grammatical constructions;
- Use the first person “I,” if you wish (as this should be a paper about you and your experiences!);
- Avoid the use of contractions (unless they occur within quoted dialogue);
- Avoid the use of second person “you” (unless it occurs within quoted dialogue);
- Avoid the use of profanity and other potentially offensive subject matter;
- Avoid the use of any kind of research; and
- Be addressed to an audience including not only your English Instructor but also the other students in this English class.
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