PROMPT

The House on Mango Street is autobiographical, although it is not a complete autobiography.  Esperanza Cordero's experiences are based on the experiences and people that Sandra Cisneros knew as a child. She includes character descriptions of the important people in her life, vivid descriptions of the places she lived, and details about the events that occurred. Most importantly, she offers an xperiences are based on the experiences and people that Sandrainsight into her own reactions, thoughts, and feelings. Your assignment is to write a brief autobiographical sketch, about the length of one of the chapters in the novel.

PREWRITING

Ms. Cisneros includes many vignettes in The House on Mango Street. You should try to focus on one event or memory, much as Cisneros has done in her short chapters. It may help you to make a time line of the significant events in your life. Then you can choose what you want to write about. You may want to interview people who knew you as a young child. You should prepare a list of questions ahead of time for them to answer, and also be ready to listen to them reminisce. It may also be helpful to look at old photographs.  Organize the events in chronological order so that the reader can follow the events as they occurred in your life.

DRAFTING

First, write a paragraph in which you introduce an important event in your life. Make sure you include background information about the setting (year, location) and the other people involved. In the body of your autobiographical sketch, continue telling about the event or events, adding details about the other people involved. Make sure to include observations about your own thoughts and feelings. Finally, write a concluding paragraph in which you talk about the ways that the event/events you wrote about have influenced your life today.

PEER EDITING/REVISING

When you finish the rough draft of your paper, ask another student to read it. After reading your rough draft, he/she should tell you what he/she liked best about your work, which parts were difficult to understand, and ways in which your work could be improved. Reread your paper considering your critic's comments, and make the corrections you think are necessary.

PUBLISHING