ADULT LEARNING CENTRE
Literature and Composition 4
About Ourselves: Learning to Write an Autobiography
February 14, 2003
This week, we will begin to plan and write a
paragraph on ourselves. Using anecdotes (missing the train,
getting arrested by the FBI), Willie Mays’ autobiography is
more lively and interesting for the reader.
Like Mays, you will use two short anecdotes
from your own experience to give the readers some idea about
Thinking on Paper:
Write down two anecdotes that show you at a
happy time in your life. Only give a short scene to help us
“see” your character.
Make sure you note a behaviour: for example,
“I walk ten kilometers each week getting local groceries.
Often, my car stays in its parking space for three days in a
Make sure you note a physical
characteristic: for example, “My hats change to suit the
weather and my mood. These days, I most often have a black
toque pulled down over my ears.”
Student Writing Sample
for this assignment.
Homework and Revision:
Join your two anecdotes into one paragraph.
Write a strong topic sentence. Write a good concluding
sentence, paraphrasing and emphasizing the topic sentence
Bring your homework to class on Friday,