Title: Identifying Purpose Quiz
Course: This I Believe: Writing a Creative Personal Essay

My Pal, Robert

Read the following work, entitled "My Pal, Robert" and answer the question that follows.

Have you ever heard the saying, “Hindsight is 20/20?” Well, I don’t think that there is a week that goes by that that saying isn’t proved to me over and over again. One night this past spring I learned a little “look before you leap” lesson that taught me to more carefully evaluate the circumstances of a situation before I actually put myself in it.

I think it’s safe to say that I am a “weirdo magnet.” I firmly believe that when I am at my most vulnerable, a flashing sign appears on my head that only strange people can see that says, “TALK TO ME! TALK TO ME!” You may think I’m exaggerating, but trust me, I’m not.

Beginning in the month of April through the month of September, I work for a wonderful and efficient organization called the Cincinnati Reds. When I first started the job, I wasn’t quite comfortable driving myself to the stadium, so I had to rely on my mom to drop me off and pick me up. Since there is never a set time that I get off work, I would have to call my mom and then go wait
for her outside at the service entrance. The approximate time was usually around 11:00 p.m. Usually there is a trusty security guard named Arnie who works at the service entrance. You know the type, about sixty-five years old and couldn’t protect you from anything even if he wasn’t sleeping or missing in action.

So picture this: It’s 11:00 at night, I’m standing outside the service entrance alone, all dressed up and looking like the perfect target for any psychopath that happens to be in the area. I guess this might be a good time to describe what it’s like at the service entrance. The tunnel itself is dark, cold, smelly, and there is always some unidentified substance dripping from the ceiling. At the head of the tunnel there is a little security guard shack where the smell of a burning illegal substance is often present. There is also an entrance to the other field, a room for the night (clean-up) crew, and a metal folding chair where Arnie usually sits when he is around. Around this entrance is reserved
parking for important people and it is generally the place where the night crew hangs out.

Anyway, as you can imagine I was feeling kind of nervous, and of course, Arnie was nowhere to be found. Normally someone would wait with me for my parents, but the circumstances were out of the ordinary. As I was standing there outside the service entrance, that horrible feeling came over me that you get when you feel someone’s eyes on you, and I could see someone coming towards me out of the corner of my eye. Rather than just stand there awkwardly, I turned face to face with the person hoping and praying that he wasn’t going to touch me, talk to me, or maybe ABDUCT me.

When he got about two inches from my face he said hoarsely, “Hi, I’m Robert.” His breath reeked of alcohol and a mixture of some other things like, oh, I don’t know, garbage? I was inwardly freaking out. His appearance was even more unsettling. He was a guy about my height, was wearing a dirty bandana around his head that I think was white at one time, and he had one tooth in
the front of his mouth that had a sign on it that said, “Next tooth—one mile.” “Hi,” I responded, trying to keep my cool. Where are you Arnie? I thought to myself. “What’s your name?” he asked. Oh, no, he’s trying to pick up on me! I thought.

I contemplated making up a fake name, but my mind went blank. “Erin,” I responded, while shaking like a leaf.

“That’s a pretty name,” he said.

Of course I could have said my name was Bertha Sue and he probably still would have said it was pretty. Every minute seemed like an eternity as I struggled to be polite and make small talk with my new pal. I kept inching away from him but he kept moving forward to make up for it. Every time he attempted to make conversation, I cordially gave him oneword
answers with a forced smile. I couldn’t help but feel a little guilty for the way I was acting, even though I was scared to death.

“You shouldn’t be standing out here by yourself. Somebody could do something to you, you know? That wouldn’t be right,” he said, looking me up and down and making me want to crawl out of my skin. Yeah, people like you! I wanted to scream. Finally, after what seemed like years, but was probably only five minutes, my mom and step-dad pulled up. By that time Arnie (the trusty
security guard) had materialized, but had taken no notice of my predicament. I grabbed my bag, took off at world record speed towards the car, and yelled over my shoulder, “There’s my mom, bye!”

Oh, but it wasn’t over yet. My source of torture couldn’t let me get away that easily. He followed me over to the car. No, I am not joking. As I opened the door, Robert stepped up to the car. “Hi, I’m Robert” He said, extending his hand. My mom shook it to be polite. “I’ve been watching your daughter for ya.” My mom was at a loss for words. “Uh, thanks,” she said. “See ya later.” She slammed the car door and as we drove away, I began to think about what had happened.

I don’t know what Robert wanted. Maybe his intentions were good, and maybe they weren’t. Either way, I was never in any real danger. Even though I was scared, I could have been a little more polite. People are people, no matter what.

However, I don’t think I’ll ever wait for my ride alone again.

Question: What type of writing is this and how do you know?

- This is an example of a personal memoir because the purpose of the writing is to explain the relationship between the author and her parents.
Feedback: Personal memoir describes a relationship between the author and a significant person, place or object. While this author mentions a person and a place, her PURPOSE in writing this piece is not to discuss either of these relationships. The correct answer is a personal narrative. The author is describing a single significant event in her life -- the time she was waiting for her parents and a creepy guy started to talk to her.
- This is an example of a personal narrative because it describes one experience that is significant to the author.
Feedback: Good job! The author is describing a single significant event in her life -- the time she was waiting for her parents and a creepy guy started to talk to her.
- This is an example of transactive writing because it's purpose is to teach us not to stand alone outside.
Feedback: Transactive writing is used to communicate information from one person to another or to persuade the reader to believe something. This is not the case in this writing. It is definitely personal writing (not information-based), but what kind? The correct answer is a personal narrative. The author is describing a single significant event in her life -- the time she was waiting for her parents and a creepy guy started to talk to her.
- This is an example of a personal essay because its main purpose is to explain the author's belief that she is a "weirdo magnet."
Feedback: A personal essay focuses on a specific belief or insight that is significant to the author. The writer of this piece has not given us any information regarding a belief she has about life. Try again. The correct answer is a personal narrative. The author is describing a single significant event in her life -- the time she was waiting for her parents and a creepy guy started to talk to her.

Unconscious

Click here to read the next piece of writing, then come back to finish the quiz.

When you have read the article, decide which type of writing is being demonstrated. Remember to ask yourself, what is the author's purpose?

- transactive writing
Feedback: While the author is probably teaching us about her community, her purpose is not to teach; it is more personal than that. The correct answer is personal narrative. The main purpose of the author is to recount one specific event that was significant to her.
- personal memoir
Feedback: Personal memoir focuses on a significant relationship between the author and a person, place, or object. While the author does discuss a specific place and person, her purpose is not to make a connection with her neighborhood or with that person in particular. The correct answer is personal narrative. The main purpose of the author is to recount one specific event that was significant to her.
- personal essay
Feedback: A personal essay explains the author's beliefs or insights, but this writing does not give us a specific idea of the author's beliefs, even though we do get a good sense of her emotion and feeling. The correct answer is personal narrative. The main purpose of the author is to recount one specific event that was significant to her.
- personal narrative
Feedback: Good job! The main purpose of the author is to recount one specific event that was significant to her.

Teenage Love

Read the following work, entitled "Teenage Love" and answer the question that follows.

(originally posted on teenink.com by Meredith M., Spring Lake, NJ)

Do you believe in love in high school? Could it possibly exist?

No way, kids don't know what true love is... But, how many people do you know that dated in high school that are currently married and happy? I personally know about 4 couples very very well that are now happy after being high school sweethearts. Did they just like each other as teens and grow to love each other? When did the "like" change to "love?" In college? Age 21? 22?23? Or could they possibly have loved each other all along?

How can you put an age on love?

I, personally, believe in teenage love. I truly think it exists. Adults that did not fall in love till they were, in fact, adults, will most likely dismiss it. However, some - like my mother, for instance - do not dismiss teenage love. Do you?

What type of writing is this and how do you know?

- This is an example of a personal memoir because it's purpose is to tell about the author's relationship with her mother.
Feedback: While personal memoir can be about a relationship with another person, that is not the purpose of this writing. This is an example of a personal essay because the author's main purpose is to share her personal belief about the reality of high school love.
- This is an example of personal narrative because it's purpose is to tell about a specific event in that is significant to the author.
Feedback: This writing does not speak about any one specific event. It does mention some couples that the author knows, but those stories are not the purpose of the article. This is an example of a personal essay because the author's main purpose is to share her personal belief about the reality of high school love.
- This is an example of transactive writing because the author's purpose is to pass along information. In this case, she is using specific information about her friends to teach us about high school love.
Feedback: While the author does use examples to explain high school love, her conclusions are only her opinions and she is not writing for the sole purpose of educating the reader. This is an example of a personal essay because the author's main purpose is to share her personal belief about the reality of high school love.
- This is an example of a personal essay because the author's main purpose is to share her personal belief about the reality of high school love.
Feedback: Good job! We know this is a personal essay because the author is sharing her personal belief about high school love with us.

Teenage Love 2

In "Teenage Love," which you just read, but is reprinted below for your reference, what phrase lets the reader know that this piece of writing is a personal essay?

Do you believe in love in high school? Could it possibly exist?

No way, kids don't know what true love is... But, how many people do you know that dated in high school that are currently married and happy? I personally know about 4 couples very very well that are now happy after being high school sweethearts. Did they just like each other as teens and grow to love each other? When did the "like" change to "love?" In college? Age 21? 22?23? Or could they possibly have loved each other all along?

How can you put an age on love?

I, personally, believe in teenage love. I truly think it exists. Adults that did not fall in love till they were, in fact, adults, will most likely dismiss it. However, some - like my mother, for instance - do not dismiss teenage love. Do you?

- "I, personally, believe in teenage love."
Feedback: Correct. This phrase shows the author's belief, which is the main purpose of a personal essay.
- "Do you believe in love in high school?"
Feedback: Incorrect. This question asks the reader what he/she thinks or believes, but does not give insight into what the author thinks.
- "...adults will most likely dismiss it."
Feedback: Incorrect. While this is something the author believes, this belief is not he main point of her writing, so this sentence does not demonstrate that this is a personal essay.

Personal Narrative

Mark the best phrase to use with a personal narrative. Remember that a personal narrative focuses on a significant event or experience.

- When I got home from school one day...
Feedback: CORRECT This is focusing on one significant event. It is an example of personal narrative.
- My entire life...
Feedback: INCORRECT This tells about an entire life, not a specific instance or experience.
- My dog is my best friend...
Feedback: INCORRECT This tells about a relationship, not a specific instance or experience. This is personal memoir.
- First grade students in Germany...
Feedback: INCORRECT This is going to share some type of information with us about first grade students in Germany; it is transactive writing that will teach us something.

Personal Essay

Mark the best phrase to use with a personal essay.

- "I bought my first car last week."
Feedback: INCORRECT This is focusing on a significant event; it is a personal narrative.
- "My brother hates it when I..."
Feedback: INCORRECT This is focusing on a relationship; it is a personal memoir.
- "I believe love overcomes all obstacles."
Feedback: CORRECT This is stating the author's belief; it is a personal essay.
- "Vegetables are important to any child's diet."
Feedback: INCORRECT This is teaching information; it is transactive writing.

Understanding Language

Match the following phrases with the types of writing they might show.

- personal narrative
Feedback: "The first time I left home..."
- personal essay
Feedback: "Freedom is worth fighting for because..."
- personal memoir
Feedback: "My brother is so important to me. He understands..."
- transactive writing
Feedback: "The average monkey lives..."

End

Good job. Return to the course page and move to Section #3.

My First Life Line

Read the following work, entitled "My First Life Line" and answer the question that follows.

Throughout my six years as an elementary school student, I was a helpless victim, drowning in a sea of stressful book reports and searching for a way to express myself in open-ended questions. As I entered middle school, however, a life preserver was thrown to me. From the moment it appeared, I held on tightly until my rescuer taught me to swim on my own.

Mrs. Smith was the high-ranking “officer” at our middle school, whose sole purpose was to whip her “gifted but undisciplined kids” into shape. I take that back. Introducing sixth-graders to ulcers was another likely item on her agenda. She had a natural march in her step, setting the admired and ideal pace for others to follow. Mrs. Smith performed classroom procedures as though she had repeatedly practiced each one determined to achieve perfection. She was always neat and proper, never a single hair on her head nor a red pen on her desk out of place. The clarity of her voice demanded respect and attention, while her tone was often quite frightening. “My class will separate the men from the boys; the women from the girls; the writers from the dummies.” Despite her intimidating features, I found myself admiring, even liking this drill sergeant. Her gleaming smile could provide warmth like rays of sunshine and was always accompanied by some explanatory hand motion. She rarely grinned without providing some sort of manual or verbal gesture. Mrs. Smith was extremely blunt with her opinions—complimentary as well as critical ones. She was honest and
truthful, with no strings attached. When asked for help, she would always respond, “I’d love to help you fix the mess you’ve created, so that someday, you might pass.” Due to the bitingly honest quality of her critiques, I feared the day she would evaluate one of my papers in class.

Nervously awaiting the return of our first essays my heart thumped with anxiety. Suddenly, her piercing voice cracked my security shell that had hidden me for the past six years. “Well, I can see that there is some potential buried beneath all that mumbo-jumbo. The hard part is just digging it out!” Confused, I searched for the correct response and answered, “Um, Mrs. Smith I don’t have a shovel to dig.” Of course Mrs. Smith replied, “That’s quite all right. You can use your hands. Pick up that pencil and go to work.” Until the bell rang, that day, I was lost in a maze of red ink. My goal was to distinguish between “mumbo-jumbo” writing and writing that, with editing, and more editing, might become worthy for Mrs. Smith herself to read. Overwhelmed with excitement, I was determined to receive a “well-written” comment from Mrs. Smith or at least a “not so mumboy-jumboy!” Sweat, tears, and a lack of sleep were all included in my “IMPRESS MRS. SMITH MISSION.” Although I was unaware of it at the time, her lovingly strict attitude and personality had already begun to inspire me.

Mrs. Smith’s sweet perfume danced happily through the air, luring me into her room the following day at school. Once again, we turned in our essays and awaited the dreaded comments. Her constant nail tapping was a tension building clock, a constant reminder of the doom that awaited us all. She always selected her “victims” for each new day, and then focused on her helpless “prey.” With magnetic eyes, she would irresistibly and forcefully draw students’ attention to her. With each point of her finger, I waited for her nail to lift me out of my chair and onto my feet. Eventually, it did. “Well, William,” she always had to recognize the writer before the humiliation could begin, “I’m quite impressed. You read my ‘red pen advice’ and actually applied it when you rewrote this paper. I’m really impressed.”

At that moment, Ernest Hemingway and Edgar Allen Poe were my equals. Even
Shakespeare himself could not have put my sixth-grade essay to shame. Just because they had created several masterpieces did not mean they were “Mrs. Smith Approved.” Whose essay had “impressed” Mrs. Smith? Mine!

I longed to rush across the room, wrap my arms around her, and burst into joyful tears. Did she realize what her words meant to me? I desperately wanted to embrace her. For the first time, someone had taken time to work with me, guide me, and have faith in me and my ability to write. She helped me find a writing style suitable and meaningful to me. If only she could understand how I truly admired and viewed her as a “teacher,” someone who earned and deserved that special title. Words of praise and gratitude filled my mind as I began to pour my heart out to this miraculous lady. Yet, as a lump rose in my throat, I simply muttered. “Thanks, Mrs. Smith.” For the first time,
without any words, gestures, or laughter, Mrs. Smith just smiled.

This is an example of a personal memoir because it focuses on the author's relationship with a significant person -- her teacher.

Mark the excerpt below that DOES NOT support that this is a personal memoir.

- "I was a helpless victim..."
Feedback: CORRECT "I was a helpless victim..." DOES NOT focus on the significant relationship between the author and a person, place or object. This excerpt does not support the relationship the author has with his teacher.
- "The clarity of her voice demanded respect and attention..."
Feedback: INCORRECT This excerpt shows personal memoir because it focuses on the author's relationship with his teacher.
- Despite her intimidating features, I found myself admiring, even liking this drill sergeant.
Feedback: INCORRECT This excerpt shows personal memoir because it focuses on the author's relationship with his teacher.
- She was honest and truthful, with no strings attached.
Feedback: INCORRECT This excerpt shows personal memoir because it focuses on the author's relationship with his teacher.