Family Story (FSD)

Writing 101  
Major Papers/Assignments
Mrs. Godwin

Your first paper assignment has two parts:  a family tree and a family story.  You should create either by hand or by computer a family tree that includes you and goes back as far as you can go, within reason (3-4 generations is fine).  Be sure your lines are drawn correctly so it is clear who is married to whom and whose children are whose, etc.  Put a star beside yourself and beside the person about whom you will be writing your story. 

The family story is designed to give you experience writing a narrative essay as well as get you off to a relatively easy and un-intimidating start to writing college papers.  It should be 4-5 pages of double-spaced prose.  Pages should have 1 inch margins and other stylistic concerns that are consistent with MLA guidelines for papers (see your handbook or online resources).  You should include strong descriptive details, action/plot, and dialogue.  The significance of this story should also be clear.  You may or may not choose to use the first person, depending on your personal involvement in the story.  The story should focus on one family member (not you). The story cannot be the family member’s entire life story; it must be a particular incident in the life of that person.  This assignment may involve calling your parents/grandparents/cousins etc. for the story or the details surrounding the story.  Consider this a fun, personal research project – who knows, you may want to publish your family’s history one day and here is where you got your start.

Due Dates:  See Weekly Schedule

(Adapted from Dr. Gerald collection of WRIT101 activities)