English II

Personal Narrative Options

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is
so meaningful they believe they would be incomplete without it. If this
sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later
success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure.
How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What
prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It
can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma
--anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain
its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to
identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked
your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture,
community, or family.

Personal Narrative/College Essay Rubric

Formatting: 1-2 pages, double spaced?

yes

no

_____out of 5 pts.

Proper MLA heading?

yes

no

_____out of 3 pts.

Creative title?

yes

no

_____out of 2 pts.

Focused on a single, specific incident?

yes

no

_____out of 5 pts.

Incorporated memorability factor?

yes

no

_____out of 5 pts.

Submitted rough draft with the final?

yes

no

Effectively revised the piece?

Criteria

Clarity &
Organization
Well organized,

yes
Creativity

Insight

Interesting, witty Shows elevated level

15 pts. each logical, and clearly storyline that has of insight in terms of
articulated;
that extra special personal experience
Advanced
(5)

13 pts. each
Approaching
Advanced
(4)

connects ideas
smoothly

something

Organized, logical,
and clearly
articulated;
transitions often
connect ideas
smoothly

Interesting
storyline

Mainly organized, Storyline ranges

11 pts. each logical, and clearly from interesting

articulate;
to common
Meets
transitions
used
to
throughout
the
Standard
connect ideas

(3)

piece

(automatic 50% deduction)

no

_____out of 5 pts.
Style

Grammar &
Mechanics

Sophisticated
variety of
sentences; rich
word choice

Demonstrates a
high level of
proficiency in
grammar and
mechanics

and how this will

translate into life skills
in regard to personal
character, growth,
reflection, and
possibility
Shows high level of
Variety of
insight in terms of
sentences;
personal experience
effective word
and how this will
choice
translate into life skills
in regard to personal
character, growth,
reflection, and
possibility
Shows adequate level Some variety of
of insight in terms of
sentences;
personal experience appropriate word
and how this will
choice
translate into life skills
in regard to personal
character, growth,
reflection, and
possibility
Shows minimal level
Mostly simple
of insight
sentences; simple
word choice

Lacks
Idea is clich
organization, logic, without anything
and clarity;
added to set it
transitions seldom apart from the
used to connect typical storyline
(2)
ideas
or idea
Not organized or Idea is a copy of Shows lack of insight
Only simple
sentences;
0-7 pts. each clear; transitions another work or is throughout paper;
are
not
used
to
not
a
creative
inability
to
inappropriate
word
Below Basic
connect ideas
writing
perceive/interpret
choice
piece/personal
(1)
essay

9 pts. each
Basic

Demonstrates
proficiency in
grammar and
mechanics

Usually
demonstrates
proficiency in
grammar and
mechanics

Inconsistently
demonstrates
proficiency in
grammar and
mechanics
Grammar and
mechanics are
deficient