Here's a fresh approach to the dreaded personal narrative required by most college applications. The Autobiography of Malcolm X is the anchor text for a unit that, through modeling and guided practice exercises, encourages the development of close reading and analytical skills. The text also serves as a model of the structure of the nonfiction narrative required by most college applications—a great addition to your collection of narrative resources.

Concepts

critical reading, narrative structure, Narrative Writing, personal narrative writing

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Additional Tags

english language arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Because the lessons are cumulative and ask class members to reflect on previous activities, have readers create a notebook dedicated to the work they produce for this 28-lesson unit
• Have class members compare the first four pages of the book to the opening sequence of Spike Lee's film and consider why Haley and Lee might have chosen to begin their stories in this fashion

Classroom Considerations

• The lesson, the first of 28 in a unit designed for high school seniors, uses The Autobiography of Malcolm X as a model of narrative writing and for the personal narrative required by many college applications
• The unit presumes a protocol has been established for the safe, respectful discussion of controversial issues

Pros

• The 33-page packet includes a richly detailed plan, worksheets, a quick-writing prompt, and  a grading rubric 

Cons

• None

Common Core

RL.11-12.1 RL.11-12.3 RL.11-12.5