Name:

Class:

WRITING

The final paper of 1st quarterand its a fun one that helps you get ready for college applications!!!!!

Your Moral Journey

A Creative Non-Fiction Essay Context: We have made both journeys with Huck: the journey down the Mississippi River, and the Moral Journey. We have watched him struggle with his conscience, engaged in a variety of activities and surrounded by people who influenced him for good and for ill, and reacting at each stop in his moral journey. We have seen what he learned about himself and the world around him. NOW its time to look inside yourself! Where have you been? How far have you come? How did you get where you are? What did you learn along the way?

Prompt: Write a creative non-fiction essay about one of the stops on your moral journey thus far. Follow these steps: 1. Make a list of every single important event in your lifebut nothing before the age of 8. This will be the inventory of your life events. This must be submitted with your final paper. 2. Decide which events from the plot line of your life helped make you the person you are these will be the stops on your moral journey. List the events on a Moral Journey line like the one we did for Huck. Put dates and age(s) next to each stop. This must be submitted with your final paper. 3. Choose a stop that you think is important and that you would like to write aboutnot just a retelling of the story, but more importantly a REFLECTION on what the whole thing meant to you. WRITE A DRAFT of your story. This must be submitted with your final paper. 4. Peer edit. Meet with Ms. Peterson to get feedback. Get feedback on your reflection from parents, teachers, mentors, and/or friends. WRITE A FINAL DRAFT. Obviously, you have to submit your final paper . a. NOTE: There will be no extensions granted on this paper, nor any late papers acceptedthere is no time for late work or re-writes because the semester is ending!!!!!! If you are absent for any reason, you must figure out a way to turn in your paper to me. Your creative non-fiction essay will be NO MORE THAN 2 PAGES LONG First Draft Final Draft and all working papers: DUE DATES! Week of December 10, Day 1: ______________

first draft, inventory of your life, Week of December 10, Day 2: ______________ stops on your moral journey

Name:
Content/ Organization Introduction Message

Moral Journey Paper Rubric Excellent: 2 points Fair: 1.5 points Needs Improvement: 1 point Excellent Fair Needs Improvement
Uses an attention-grabbing intro that draws reader in; conclusion resolves topic Uses specific & rich detail that demonstrates significant insight into the theme of the story. Uses relevant details that go beyond the predictable. Every piece adds something to the whole. Author clearly shows how event qualifies as defining moment in his/her moral journey Appeals to the senses, showing what the scene looks like, sounds like, feels like, etc. Gives specific details of the event, showing scene through choice of descriptions Brings characters to life by showing mannerisms, beliefs, ideas, etc. Uses dialogue effectively to show scene and add to effect of story. Punctuates it correctly. Has clear structure with well-organized paragraphs that connect to and develop main idea. Sequencing is logical & effective. Uses strong, active verbs to show the scene Language is natural and phrasing is highly individual; captures the writers voice Varies sentence structure for fluency through the paper Few to no errors in formal English spelling, grammar, and punctuation where appropriate. Has an intro and conclusion, but may not draw reader in or fully resolve topic Uses some examples or details that demonstrate some insight into topic. Details may not be extended enough to demonstrate in-depth insight into topic. Reflection is superficial or not specific. At times appeals to senses; could flesh out details more fully Gives some details of events; could use more details to show scene Gives some insight into characters, but leaves reader wanting more Uses dialogue effectively at times; could use more or refine to show more characterization Shows some clarity in organization, but may have some gaps in order; sequencing is somewhat logical, but may have some inconsistencies Uses strong verbs at times, but lapses into weaker verbs/passive voice at other times Familiar words and phrases communicate, but do not capture readers imagination; captures writers voice at times Occasionally varies sentence structure Some errors in formal English spelling, grammar, and punctuation where not appropriate that might be distracting to reader Lacks intro and/or conclusion, or they are overly simplistic and/or unclear Does not develop topic in meaningful way. Information is limited or unclear. Writing is disconnected or repetitious. Tells story without demonstrating message There is insufficient or no reflection Uses insufficient or no sensory detail Uses insufficient specifics and tells more than shows events Characters are underdeveloped with little detail to flesh them out Does not use appropriate dialogue; Dialogue is punctuated incorrectly Organization is unclear; flow is such that effectiveness of writing is diminished

Reflection Sensory Detail Specifics Characterization Dialogue Organization

Style/Mechanics Verbs Voice

Overuses to be verbs, or lapses into passive voice Language is vague; only a general idea of writers voice comes through Sentence structure has insufficient or no variety; comes off as monotone A significant number of errors in formal English spelling, grammar, and punctuation where not appropriate that are distracting to the reader

Sentence Variety Grammar

Attention to MLA Formatting: Heading, Date, Last Name & # Top Right, Title ___ / 2 pts Inventory included: ___ / 1 pt Stops on Moral Journey included: ___ / 1 pt Rough Draft included: ___ /1 pt

TOTAL: _______ / 29 points