Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Autobiographical Essay

One of the latest outputs from the litera team is an autobiographical essay or narrative. It is chosen as the first exercise because it makes the writer share an experience. We all have stories to tell and it's best to start formal studies in writing with a familiar experience. Many writing classes make the usual attempts by asking students to write about an unforgettable experience or a memorable summer vacation. While these are usual prompts in writing, there may be other ways or strategies to make a student-writer plan what will be shared. The key is in the coaching.

The following excerpts are from outputs that took three to four drafts. While they can still be further improved, they are chosen for their unique merits.

Here's the first installment.
Finally, an event happened that made me feel that I really had a singing talent. When I was in Second Grade my teachers told us to sing any song, either in pairs, group or solo. My friend and I decided to sing together. When we finally ended singing, I was called by our teacher in Music. He asked me to join in a program of our school to sing “Beauty and the Beast” with my classmate. At first I didn’t feel like participating in that program because I had that shame and fear of singing in a huge crowd, something I still possess until now. When the final moment came, I felt really pressured, but when I sang the song I felt really relieved and happy because the crowd cheered for me. At first I thought that they were cheering because of my costume as a beast, but after singing our teachers applauded us and said we were really good singers. That was my first performance on stage, and it encouraged me to perform in more programs in school. by EJ

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Days have gone so fast. We need to accept that he is gone. We need to let him fly above the sky, he is now with God in heaven but the memories he made for us were the memories we will never forget. Until now, I haven't forgotten my grandfather because he helped me know more about myself. He taught me to open my mind and heart to the things around me by teaching me to appreciate the achievements even the loses. I should appreciate them because I did my very best. by Jeff