Modeling Autobiographical Incident

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Modeling Autobiographical Incident
Step 1 Analyze the Prompt
Prompt Write a composition about the effects of
exhibiting character traits -- such as
trustworthiness, caring, fairness, respect,
responsibility or citizenship -- in your life.
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Modeling Autobiographical Incident
Step 2 Brainstorm events related to the prompt.
I lectured my classmates on the evils of alcohol
Times when I was (a good citizen)
I volunteered at the nursing home
I stood up to the physics teacher
I served jury duty
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Modeling Autobiographical Incident
Step 3 Explore your memory for details.
Lectured my classmates
Scenes
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Modeling Autobiographical Incident
Step 3 Explore your memory for details.
Lectured my class
Key People
Scenes
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Modeling Autobiographical Incident
Step 3 Explore your memory for details.
Lectured my class
Main Events
Key People
Scenes
Brother sold stolen wine
Kids in bleachers (laughing)
Kids in bleachers (laughing)
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Modeling Autobiographical Incident
Step 3 Explore your memory for details.
Lectured my class
Main Events
Key People
Scenes
Significance
Learned to deal with opposition and ridicule
Brother sold stolen wine
Kids in bleachers (laughing)
Kids in bleachers (laughing)
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Modeling Autobiographical Incident
Step 4 Orally rehearse your autobiographical
narrative with another person.
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Modeling Autobiographical Incident
Step 5 Write an introduction. Include a
grabber, some background information, and a
hint of the topic.
Speaking in front of others has never really been
my favorite activity. In high school I sparred
with a science teacher about giving a speech for
a contest. In college I postponed the public
speaking course until the end of my senior year.
A humiliating experience in high school only
underscored my fear. I wanted to be a good
citizen and help my classmates avoid the dangers
of underage drinking. What I didnt know, though
was that my brother was under the gym bleachers
selling bottles of stolen wine to my classmates
while I was lecturing. While this was an
embarrassing experience, I learned that being
involved in community affairs is still very
important.
Grabber
Background
Hint
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Modeling Autobiographical Incident
Step 6 Flow Map the first event that sets up
the series of events that will lead to the
main point of your narrative. This event
precedes the most important event. Include
details.
During a school assembly
Spoke to classmates on underage drinking
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Modeling Autobiographical Incident
Step 7 Flow Map the next events (these lead up
to your main point). Remember to slow
down the action and use precise details.
Early that morning
While I was talking
Later on the track
Spoke to classmates on underage drinking
Brother sold wine under bleachers
People made fun of me
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Modeling Autobiographical Incident
Step 8 Write your conclusion. Remember to
state or imply what happened as a result of
your experience. Try to use a statement
about human experience in general .
It surely seemed like a terrible, no good, very
bad, day as the character Arthur says. In the
end, though, I learned some very important
lessons. I dont regret that I talked to my
classmates if one person decided to avoid
drinking that Friday night, it was worth it. I
dont regret getting involved in my community
too many people had already died in
alcohol-related deaths. I do regret that I was
not close enough to my brother at that time to
speak to him the way I was able to speak to
every one else. Maybe I could have helped him
avoid the next few years of abuse and later
rehab. Being a good citizen sometimes means
taking risks. Standing up against peers isnt
easy, but the personal cost is nothing compared
to what the community potentially gains.
why it was important
relate to human experience