Main /

Personal Essay

Personal Essay


Page Content:

Definition:

A first person, non-fiction story, usually a short composition, which illuminates a personal experience. It is similar to memoir but the emphasis is more on viewpoint and is more personal in nature.

Purpose:

  • To connect personal knowledge, experiences, and understanding of the world to themes and perspectives in text

Characteristics:

  • Non-fiction story; fully developed narrative
  • Description, action, and dialogue
  • Clear organizational pattern
  • Elaboration of relevant supporting ideas
  • Sequenced events/progression of ideas
  • Focused
  • Stream of consciousness
  • Form based upon purpose
  • Coherent development
  • Unity
  • Wrap-up resolution or reaction
  • Grounded in reality
  • Establishes a relationship between the reader and the writer
  • Thoughtful, honest, reflective
  • Intimate sharing of thoughts, memories, desires, complaints or whimsies
  • Clear perspective on experiences
  • Quoted language, speech elements
  • Details of a specific event or time in life of author
  • Precise, vivid language and imagery
  • Sustained development of a single incident, often conveying emotion
  • Can be humorous, serious, scolding, meditative
  • Can take the shape of a memoir or character sketch
  • Use facts and personal experiences to support main point
  • Strong topic sentences as transitions between paragraphs
  • Opinion-based main point
  • Utilizes structure, voice and style

Grade Level Instructional Scope for COMPREHENDING the Genre and Text of a Personal Essay:

Grade 4

Opportunities to Teach:

Understanding the genre

  • Structure
  • Elements
  • Purpose

Understanding the text

  • Introduction (setting, time)
  • Author’s perspective and tone
  • Sequence
  • Closing statement or lesson learned

Grade Level Instructional Scope for COMPOSING the Genre and Text of a Personal Essay:

Grade 6

Opportunities to Teach:

Composing the genre

  • Choosing meaningful events
  • Presenting a perspective
  • Reflecting and choosing feelings, thoughts, and observations key to the event

Composing the text

  • Writing process
  • Narrowing the topic
  • Writing strong and enticing leads
  • Presenting thoughts, feelings, and emotions through powerful, specific word use

Booklists:

  • Grade 4
  • Grade 6

Access to the Documents:

Complete K-8 Genre Project
From the Michigan Department of Education

Complete K-8 Genre Booklist
From Kent Intermediate School District


Page last modified on February 09, 2009, at 10:34 AM