The Name Project
by
Monica Edinger

 
 
 

We care about our names.  Given to us by our parents, they soon become our own.  Sometimes they change, become shortened, or altered into nicknames.  Sometimes we like them and sometimes we don't.  However we feel about them, they are still ours alone.

For this very first writing project you are going to explore your name.  You may already know a lot about it, or you may be surprised by what you discover. Either way, it is bound to be fun and a great way for you to introduce yourself. 
 
 

Researching Your Name

Primary Source Information
A primary source is getting as close to the original as possible.  In the case of your name your best primary source informants are your parents.  After all they gave you your name.  For homework interview your parent(s) about your name.  Find out as much as possible about why they named you as they did. Are you named after a relative?  If so, why?  Were you named for some other special reason?  Try to find out as much as possible and write down what you find out in the space below.  Be sure to write down your source (your parent or anyone else you ask about your name) at the end.
 
 

Secondary Source Information
A secondary source is farther away from the original.  In the case of your name it might be some background about your name. Use the baby books in the classroom to see what you can find out about your name.  If the baby books do not have your name we will see what other secondary sources might be available to help you.  Write what you find out in the space below.  Don't forget to write down the source (book) from which you get the information.
 
 

Thinking About and Describing Your Very Own Name

Listen to a reading of "My Name" from Sandra Cisneros's novel, The House on Mango Street and discuss the different ways she describes her name.  Then write down your own creative descriptions of your name.
 
 

Writing About Your Name

Now use all the information you collected about your name to write an interesting paragraph about your name. Be sure to provide an interesting lead to get your readers interested and a way to end the paragraph as well.  Use the space below to write your first draft.   Once finished, read it over and revise it. Then have a conference with a teacher, do a final edit (your teachers will show you how), and a final draft on another piece of paper.