Coming+of+Age+Essay

COMING OF AGE ESSAY We've spent some time thinking, blogging and talking about the sometimes hazy division between childhood and adulthood. We've viewed some video chronicling how some cultures celebrate and honor the crossing of this significant threshold. In this writing piece, I'd like you to explore the notion of womanhood/manhood. Address the following questions:


 * Do you consider yourself a man or woman? Or are you still a girl or boy?
 * If you have crossed the threshold, either relate a moment that you feel contributed significantly to this crossing or a moment of realization of your having crossed it.
 * If you have not yet made the transformation, how close do you think you are to making it? What will have to happen, in your opinion, to make it real?



Consider these questions carefully and construct a thoughtful, well written writing piece. It may be a personal narrative. Think about the different modes that essays can take:


 * definition (What does it mean for you to be a man?)
 * cause-effect (What event happened that triggered your womanhood?)
 * compare-contrast (What is it like as a man/woman as opposed to a girl/boy)?

You may also write about other people. Perhaps your mother or father (or grandfather or grandmother) had a coming of age experience that left an impact on you--and that helps to shape your own definitions.

Hints on starting your narrative.