Autobiographical Incident Guidelines and Annotations

Here are some guidelines and an example of a good autobiographical incident.

Click each guideline to see how it works in the example essay.

An autobiographical incident essay
¥	focuses on one event that has meaning for the writer
¥	places the incident in context by giving details about the setting and the people involved
¥	develops the incident with specific details
¥	explains the meaning of the incident to the writer
¥	organizes details in a way that makes sense

Annotations

¥	The writer uses an attention-grabbing quotation as her introduction.
¥	The writer places the incident in context. The paper includes details about the setting 	and about the puppy Annie.
¥	The writer develops the incident with specific details. These include sensory details, 	dialogue, narrative details, and thoughts and feelings.
¥	The writer explains the meaning of the incident. She learned that real giving sometimes 	involves pain.
¥	The writer organizes details in chronological, or time, order. Phrases such as "it was 	my eighth birthday" and "when I was twelve years old" help readers to follow the time 	order.
¥	The writer has chosen words, events, and details that reveal her personality. The 	writing flows naturally.