ENG4CI

Grise
The Glass Castle: Writing Extension Activity #1 Start a Memoir
Jeannette Walls, the author, starts Part II of The Glass Castle novel with her earliest memory:
I WAS ON FIRE.
Its my earliest memory. I was three years old, and we were living in a trailer park in a
southern Arizona town whose name I never knew (Walls 9).
NOW ITS YOUR TURN: using the same structure as Walls to get started, write about your
earliest memory.
I WAS .. .
Its my earliest memory. I was _________ years old, and ___________________.
Your memoir must be (2) pages,(double spaced) in length.
Incorporate the characteristics/elements of a memoir that we have looked at so
that you fit into the genre.
Be descriptive and remember that your memoir should have a message.

Due Date: Thursday February 26th, 2015 (end of class) D.D. Date
Thursday March 12th

Criteria
Form

Level 4
All elements are
well elaborated,
evenly and
appropriately
Effectively
develops and
integrates plot,
setting, and
character(s)

Content

Style

Mechanic

Level 3
Most elements of
memoir are
present; logical
sequence to the
development
Plot, setting, and
character(s)
connected and
developed

Level 2
Elements of memoir
not evenly
developed; needs
details
Limited connection
between plot,
setting, and
character(s)

High degree of
thematic value

Considerable
evidence of
thematic value

Expresses ideas
with precision

Clear purpose for

writing

Mood and tone

engage reader;
established
personal style
Has few, if any,
mechanical and
usage errors in
final product

Mood and tone

effective;
developing
personal style
Minor usage and
mechanical errors;
almost no
interference

Mood and tone

intermittently
effective

good control of
sentence and
paragraph
structure

Simple/adequate
sentence and
paragraph
structuring

excellent
control of
sentencing and
paragraphing

Evaluation Rubric:

Somewhat
indicative of
thematic idea
Unclear purpose for
writing

Mechanical and
usage errors
sometimes cause
interference

Level 1
Demonstrates
minimal
development of
elements of
memoir
Limited
attention given
to plot, setting
and/or
character(s)

Below Level
Very little to no
development of
elements of
memoirs

Limited
understanding/u
se of theme

Little to no
understanding/use
of theme

Writes for self

almost
exclusively

Writes for self

exclusively

Limited evidence
of mood and
tone
Major and minor
mechanical and
usage errors
which greatly
interfere
Limited control
of sentence
structure little
paragraphing
evident

Missing
development of
plot, setting and/or
character(s)

Very limited
evidence of mood,
tone or voice
Too many major
and minor
mechanical and
usage errors
Little to no control
of sentence
structure and/or
paragraphing