(F1/S1) Writing a Vignette

In the vignette, “Four Skinny Trees”, the trees stand outside Esperanza and Nenny's bedroom.
Esperanza says that they are the only things that understand her, and she is the only one that
understands them. Esperanza communes with the trees from the window. The trees are kind of
like Esperanza – “they're skinny with pointy elbows”. They don't belong there, but they're there.
“Their strength is secret. They send ferocious roots beneath the ground.” When Esperaza is
feeling defeated, she looks to the strength of the trees.

Prompt: Using the vignette “Four Skinny Trees” as a model, write a vignette explaining your
admiration and connection to an object. You will have to think creatively. You may choose an
object in nature or artificial. You will have to personify the object to find one true connection. Be
sure to make use of literary techniques (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, etc.
LiteraryDevicesLink). Your vignette should be three paragraphs. You should have plenty of time to
plan, revise, and proofread.

Part 1: Brainstorming:
● Reread “Four Skinny Trees” and the sample vignettes: sample 1, sample 2, sample 3,
sample 4, sample 5, sample 6
● Take a few minutes to think about your traits and experiences. Look at your F1/S1: Where
I’m From poem for ideas or the guided circle map.
● Take a few minutes to think about an object (natural or artificial) that shares a trait with
you. This should also be an object you admire. Skim over the planning below so you
understand the expectations.

Part 2: Planning and Rough Draft (I will look at your planning in class and give you
feedback)

● Point of View and Voice: (Are you the narrator? How old are you?) __________________
● What is object/thing are you writing about? _______________________
● What is your title? __________________________
 Parag Focus for Each Paragraph Your rough draft notes
raph

1 Introduce your selected object or

thing. Explain one mutual trait
with the object. The trait can be
personality or physical. Use a
literary technique (personification,
simile, imagery, metaphor,
alliteration, etc.) in the explanation.

2 Explain the object’s superpower or .

unique trait. Use a literary
technique (personification, simile,
imagery, metaphor, alliteration,
etc.) in the explanation.

3 Briefly mention a couple of

obstacles/challenges in your life,
then explain an obstacle your object
has overcome. How does this object
bring you hope? Use a literary
technique (personification, simile,
imagery, metaphor, alliteration,
etc.) in the explanation.

Part 3: Final Vignette Checklist

❏ Move your final vignette to a new clean document, no planning chart. Please follow proper
MLA formatting (double-space, size 12 font, Times New Roman, and heading on top left).
See the sample vignette for formatting.
❏ Adhere to the prompt (mutual trait, superpower/uniqueness, challenge/obstacle)
❏ 3 paragraphs in length (minimum)
❏ Highlight the 3 different literary techniques. Make these purposeful! At the bottom of your
vignette, identify each device.
❏ Title It!
 ❏ Varied Sentence Structure
❏ Proofread

Rubric:

Creative Narrative Rubric for House on Mango Street Model Vignette Summative ____/35
Standard: W.3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, well-structured event sequences.
Standard: W.4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

10 9-8 7-6 5-0

FOCUS The narrative, real or
imagined, insightfully
addresses all aspects of the
EXPOSITION prompt
Purposefully engages and
Stay focused on the orients the reader by setting
prompt out an observation and its
significance, and point of view.
Clearly focused. Has a title.
The narrative, real or
imagined, competently
addresses all aspects of the
prompt
Purposefully engages and
orients the reader by setting
out an observation and its
significance, and point of view.
Focused with a slight stray
from the prompt.
The narrative, real or imagined,
partially addresses aspects of
the prompt
Might engage or orient the
reader by setting out a problem,
situation, and attempts to
establish point of view. The
writer strays from the prompt.
The narrative, real or
imagined, minimally
addresses some aspect of the
prompt
Has not yet engaged or
oriented the reader by setting
out a problem, situation, and
does not establish a consistent
point of view

Standard: W.3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, well-structured event sequences.
Standard: W.4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Standard: LF.6 Word or phrase expression
10 9-8 7-6 5-0

ORGANIZATION/ Expertly creates a smooth
PLOT progression of experiences
and description.
STRUCTURE Uses a variety of literary
techniques to sequence events
that build on one another to
support the main idea.
Expertly creates a smooth
progression of experiences and
description
Uses literary techniques to
sequence events that build on
one another to create the main
idea
Progression of experiences or
events may be confusing or
disjointed
Techniques do not build on one
another to create a coherent
whole
Event sequence unfolds
illogically
Has not yet used sequencing
techniques to create coherence

10 9-8 7-6 5-0

Literary techniques are not

Figurative language is evident Figurative language is Figurative language is used.
FIGURATIVE LANG. and appropriate for the style appropriate for the style and attempted but may not be
and audience. At least three audience. Three literary appropriate for the style or
different literary techniques techniques are used.
 are used. CP: identify each audience. Possibly 1-2
device. literary techniques.

Standard: LF. 3. Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend
more fully when reading or listening.

5 4 2 1

SENTENCE Uses purposeful and varied Uses correct and varied Uses limited and/or repetitive Lacks sentence mastery (e.g.,
STRUCTURE sentence structure sentence structure sentence structure fragments/ run-ons)
Contains minimal to no errors Contains few, minor errors in Contains numerous errors in Contains serious and
CONVENTIONS & in conventions (grammar, conventions and mechanics conventions and/or pervasive errors in
MECHANICS punctuation, spelling, that do not interfere with mechanics which cause conventions and mechanics
capitalization) meaning confusion
Convention errors may be
acceptable if used to
intentionally build the
speaker’s voice and writing
style.
Proper MLA format and no
longer on the planning chart.