see attached
Touchstones are projects that illustrate your comprehension of the course material, help
you to refine skills, and demonstrate application of knowledge. You can work on a
Touchstone anytime, but you can’t submit it for grading until you have completed the unit’s
Challenges. After you’ve submitted a Touchstone, it will be graded and counted towards
your final course score.
Touchstone 1: Narrative Essay
BEFORE YOU START
Consider revisiting the tutorial Determining Your Purpose and Audience. You might
find it helpful to outline your purpose and audience for this Touchstone in 2-3
sentences to kick-start writing this personal narrative essay.
ASSIGNMENT: Write a 2-3 page (approximately 500-800 words) narrative essay about
a single event using the techniques and elements of narrative writing that you have
learned in this unit. In addition, you must answer the “Think About Your Writing”
questions, described below, beneath your essay.
! Sample Narrative Essay
●
Ready
●
Submitted
●
Graded
Touchstone whenever
you want, but you must
complete the previous
assessments in the Unit
before you can submit
SUBMIT TOUCHSTONE
Currently, it takes about 2-3 business days for a Touchstone to be graded.
UNIT 1 — TOUCHSTONE 1:
Narrative Essay
-/50
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In order to foster learning and growth, all work you submit must be newly written
specifically for this course. Any plagiarized or recycled work will result in a
Plagiarism Detected alert. Review Touchstones: Academic Integrity Guidelines for
more about plagiarism and the Plagiarism Detected alert. For guidance on the use of
generative AI technology, review Ethical Standards and Appropriate Use of AI.
CopyLeaks Originality Checker: All writing will be checked for originality. Do not use
any outside text from third party sources to complete Touchstone 1. Focus on
showcasing your own creativity and storytelling skills in your personal narrative.
A. Directions
Step 1: Choose a Topic
Choose a topic that enables you to tell a short, interesting personal narrative essay. Your
narrative can be funny, suspenseful, meaningful, or exciting, but it must focus on one event.
EXAMPLE If you decide to write about traveling to Washington DC, you should
not write about the entire trip. Choose one event (e.g., an afternoon you spent
visiting the National Portrait Gallery, or shopping in Georgetown, or taking a tour of
the White House) and tell a detailed story that focuses on that single event.
The following are some ideas that can help you to select a topic for your story:
Firsts: Think of a “first” in your life and describe that moment in detail.
Proud moment: Choose a moment when you felt proud about an accomplishment.
Adversity: Describe a time when you had to think or act quickly to overcome a
challenge.
Travel: Recall a memorable experience you had while visiting an interesting place.
$ HINT
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Topic Choice Guidance: We encourage you to choose any one event from your life that
you feel comfortable sharing in an academic context with a classroom audience in
mind.
Step 2. Write a Narrative Essay
Write a narrative essay that meets the following criteria:
Presents a focused, meaningful narrative: The composition is consistently focused,
and details are relevant and specific.
Tells the story using a logical, smooth sequence of events: The sequence of events
and details is logical and easy to follow throughout the composition.
Develops a clear beginning, middle, and end: The composition has a clear and well-
developed beginning, middle, and end. The opening paragraph(s) thoroughly
introduce the setting, characters, and situation. The middle paragraphs thoroughly
describe the progression of events. The closing paragraph(s) provide a thorough
resolution to the narrative.
Uses narrative language and techniques competently: Uses narrative language and
techniques (e.g., concrete and sensory details, figurative language, vivid description,
dialogue, pacing, and plot development) effectively throughout the composition.
Demonstrates command of standard English grammar, punctuation, spelling,
capitalization, and usage: There are few, if any, negligible errors in grammar,
punctuation, spelling, capitalization, formatting, and usage.
Step 3. Think About Your Writing
Below your completed narrative, include answers to all of the following reflection
questions:
. Which narrative techniques did you use to bring your narrative to life? (2-3
sentences) Sophia says: Did you use vivid description, sensory details, and/or dialogue
to engage readers? Provide two examples from your essay in which you “show”
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readers rather than “tell” them. EXAMPLE: A sentence such as “I glanced at the clock,
grabbed my briefcase, and sprinted for the elevator” uses more descriptive language
than simply saying, “I was running late for the meeting.”
. How did your purpose and audience shape the way in which you wrote your
narrative? (3-4 sentences) Sophia says: Your hypothetical audience extends beyond
the people who will evaluate your narrative. Which individuals or groups were you
addressing when you wrote your narrative, and how did consideration of your
audience and your purpose influence the way in which you wrote it?
. Provide a concrete example from your narrative that shows how you have written
specifically for this audience and purpose. (3-5 sentences) Sophia says: Consider
including a quotation from your essay and explaining how it was written to appeal to
your audience and to accomplish your purpose. Alternatively, you might describe a
theme, tone, or narrative technique that you used and explain how it was intended to
appeal to your audience and achieve your purpose.
Step 4. Review Rubric and Checklist
Your composition and reflection will be scored according to the Touchstone 1 Rubric, which
evaluates the narrative focus, narrative flow, narrative structure, narrative language and
techniques, use of conventions (grammar, punctuation, etc.), and your answers to the
“Think About your Writing” questions above.
Refer to the checklist below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your
Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.
Narrative Focus and Flow
❒ Have you written about a single event over a short period of time rather than several
events over an extended period of time?
❒ Are all of the details in your story relevant to your purpose?
❒ Is the narrative action presented in a logical order that is easy to follow?
❒ Is your narrative 500-800 words in length? If not, which details do you need to add or
subtract?
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Narrative Structure
❒ Is there an opening paragraph that introduces the setting, characters, and situation?
❒ Are there middle paragraphs that describe the progression of narrative action?
❒ Is there a closing paragraph that provides a thorough resolution to the event or
experience?
Narrative Language and Techniques
❒ Have you incorporated narrative language and techniques (e.g., figurative language,
concrete and sensory details, dialogue, and vivid description)?
❒ Can examples of narrative language and techniques be found throughout your narrative
essay, or are they only evident in some places?
Conventions
❒ Have you double-checked for correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, formatting, and
capitalization?
❒ Have you proofread to find and correct typos?
Before You Submit
❒ Have you included your name, date, and course in the top left corner of the page?
❒ Have you answered all of the “Think About Your Writing” questions?
❒ Is your essay between 500 and 800 words in length (2-3 pages)?
B. Rubric
Advanced
(100%)
Proficient
(85%)
Acceptable
(75%)
Needs
Improvement
(50%)
Narrative Focus (5
points)
Present a focused,
meaningful narrative.
The composition is
consistently focused,
and details are relevant
and specific.
The composition is
focused and details are
relevant and specific.
However, a few details
and descriptions
detract slightly from the
focus.
The composition is
mostly focused and the
majority of details are
relevant and specific.
However, there are
several details and
descriptions that
detract from the focus.
The composition does
not have a consistent
focus.
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Narrative Flow (5
points)
Tell the story using a
logical, smooth
sequence of events.
The sequence of
events and details is
logical and easy to
follow throughout the
composition.
The sequence of
events and details is
logical and easy to
follow throughout the
composition, with a few
minor exceptions.
The sequence of
events and details is
easy to follow
throughout most of the
composition; however,
some areas are poorly
sequenced or
confusing.
The events and details
are primarily poorly
sequenced and difficult
to follow.
Narrative Structure
(15 points)
Develop a clear
beginning, middle, and
end.
The composition has a
clear and well-
developed beginning,
middle, and end. The
opening paragraph(s)
thoroughly introduce
the setting, characters,
and situation. The
middle paragraphs
thoroughly describe the
progression of events.
The closing
paragraph(s) provide a
thorough resolution to
the narrative.
The composition has a
clear and sufficiently
developed beginning,
middle, and end. The
opening paragraph(s)
adequately introduce
the setting, characters,
and situation. The
middle paragraphs
adequately describe
the progression of
events. The closing
paragraph(s) provide an
adequate resolution to
the narrative.
The composition has a
clear beginning, middle,
and end; however, one
of the three sections is
minimally developed.
The composition lacks
a clear beginning,
middle, or end; or, two
of the three sections
are minimally
developed.
Narrative Language
and Techniques (15
points)
Use narrative language
and techniques
competently.
Uses narrative
language and
techniques (e.g.,
concrete and sensory
details, figurative
language, vivid
description, dialogue,
pacing, and plot
development)
effectively throughout
the composition.
Uses narrative
language and
techniques (e.g.,
concrete and sensory
details, figurative
language, vivid
description, dialogue,
pacing, and plot
development)
effectively in the
majority of the
composition.
Uses narrative
language and
techniques (e.g.,
concrete and sensory
details, figurative
language, vivid
description, dialogue,
pacing, and plot
development)
effectively in some
parts of the
composition.
Uses narrative
language and
techniques (e.g.,
concrete and sensory
details, figurative
language, vivid
description, dialogue,
pacing, and plot
development) rarely in
the composition.
Conventions (5
points)
Demonstrate command
of standard English
grammar, punctuation,
spelling, capitalization,
and usage.
There are few, if any,
negligible errors in
grammar, punctuation,
spelling, capitalization,
formatting, and usage.
There are occasional
minor errors in
grammar, punctuation,
spelling, capitalization,
formatting, and usage.
There are some
significant errors in
grammar, punctuation,
spelling, capitalization,
formatting, and usage.
There are frequent
significant errors in
grammar, punctuation,
spelling, capitalization,
formatting, and usage.
Think About Your
Writing (5 points)
Reply to reflection
questions thoroughly
Demonstrates
thoughtful reflection;
consistently includes
insights, observations,
and/or examples in all
Demonstrates
thoughtful reflection;
includes multiple
insights, observations,
and/or examples.
Primarily demonstrates
thoughtful reflection,
but some responses
are lacking in detail or
insight. Answers all
Shows limited
reflection; the majority
of responses are
lacking in detail or
insight. Answers
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C. Requirements
Your essay must be 2-3 pages (approximately 500-800 words), double-spaced, with
one-inch margins.
Narrative essay guidelines must be followed or your submission will not be graded.
Use a readable 12-point font.
Composition must be original and written for this assignment and all writing must be
appropriate for an academic context.
Use of generative chatbot artificial intelligence tools (ChatGPT, Bing Chat, Bard) in
place of original writing is strictly prohibited for this assignment.
Plagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Submission must include your name, the name of the course, the date, and the title of
your composition.
Submission must include both your narrative essay and your answers to the “Think
About Your Writing” questions.
Include all of the assignment components in a single .doc or .docx file.
and thoughtfully. responses. Answers all
reflection questions
effectively, following or
exceeding response
length guidelines.
Answers all reflection
questions effectively,
following response
length guidelines.
reflection questions,
primarily following
response length
guidelines.
reflection questions
inadequately; may not
answer all of the
questions and/or may
not follow response
length guidelines.
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