criteria

The following examples of effective writing in the genre of personal essay were culled from Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory". The bold-face type indicates a trait that could be incorporated in our own personal essays due Wed:

Summery calico dress - ** Language that people find cool or interesting **

Knew character better – **give reasons why,** **supply detail that helps fill in blanks**

Fuitcake weather! --- **uniqe/interesting eye catching**

Bantam—**noticed how different vocabulary makes the essay more interesting!**

“We are cousins, very distant cousins” – **states a fact and then describes it more which makes the essay more personal and interesting.**

But – **comparing and contrasting, gives a better visual picture**

**Expertise- Know what you’re talking about, do research on things you don’t know.**

**Passion/conviction- be excited/love what you’re talking about**

“The courthouse bell sounded so cold and clear”- **using cold to describe a sound**