Description and Analysis

This is a personal paper.  In other words, you may use the “I.” Always capitalize the I, and own your experiences.  For example, there is no need to generalize them by using the general “you.”  Avoid the “you,” as in:  You like Christmas because that is the time when every single member of your family comes together. This is your personal experience, not others’!   TOPIC: Think of a possession that is valuable to you mostly because its associations, i.e. it links you in some way to a person, an event, or a dear memory.  Note:  I prefer that you do not write about an object like your iphone, or your car, which you value mostly for its utility. You might then end up listing conveniences that are predictable, and that all of us share.  Your introduction will begin with a ‘hook’ sentence, and then give the what, who, when, where, of your possession.  You will end in a thesis statement which is your claim about the significance of this possession.  For example, a thesis like, “My wooden carving of a mountain lion reminds me, not only of my Mexican grandfather, but also of the precious summers I spent on his farm,” invites detailed descriptions of your grandfather and your memories on his farm.  However, a thesis like this, “My carved wolf holds precious memories,” is too vague and general.  If you are left with questions like ‘what kind of memories’?  or who, in particular does it remind you of? your thesis is too general and thereby invites generalized comments. Organize your paper as follow: Introduction: 5 – 6 lines, ending in a thesis statement. Descriptive paragraphs of the object, the person, place, event, etc. Analytical paragraphs of the significance of these memories – how they shaped you, changed you, impacted you, advanced your growth, etc. etc. For organization, please refer to the Basic Essay Format file  under Writing Guides on Modules and also the link above for organizing an academic essay.  Every paragraph should begin with a topic sentence and then give details of, and only of, that particular topic.