This document provides instructions for a writing assignment asking students to align a significant life event of their own with the archetypal "hero's journey" model of 12 steps. It describes each of the 12 steps in the hero's journey, from the "ordinary world" to the "return with elixir." The assignment requires students to write an introduction explaining how they are a hero and what they've learned. They must then use body paragraphs to explain how their experience aligns with at least 5 steps of the hero's journey. They should conclude by discussing the main lesson learned and why they are grateful for the experience. The rubric evaluates students on introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion, imagery/details, grammar/spelling,

1. Step 4
Writing
Assignment

2. What do I do?
 Choose a single event in your life that has
changed you to write about.
 Think of the “Hero’s journey” and the 12
steps.
 Align your journey with at least five of
these 12 steps. If you can do all of them,
that is even better!

3. The Journey
 Ordinary World: This step refers to the hero's normal life at the start of the story, before the
adventure begins.
 Call to Adventure: The hero is faced with something that makes him begin his adventure. This
might be a problem or a challenge he needs to overcome.
 Refusal of the Call: The hero attempts to refuse the adventure because he is afraid.
 Meeting with the Mentor: The hero encounters someone who can give him advice and
ready him for the journey ahead.
 Crossing the First Threshold: The hero leaves his ordinary world for the first time and crosses
the threshold into adventure.
 Tests, Allies, Enemies: The hero learns the rules of his new world. During this time, he endures
tests of strength of will, meets friends, and comes face to face with foes.
 Approach: Setbacks occur, sometimes causing the hero to try a new approach or adopt
new ideas.
 Ordeal: The hero experiences a major hurdle or obstacle, such as a life or death crisis.
 Reward: After surviving death, the hero earns his reward or accomplishes his goal.
 The Road Back: The hero begins his journey back to his ordinary life.
 Resurrection Hero - The hero faces a final test where everything is at stake and he must use
everything he has learned.
 Return with Elixir: The hero brings his knowledge or the "elixir" back to the ordinary world,
where he applies it to help all who remain there.

4. Required Writing
 Introduction
 Explain how you are a hero
 What have you learned from your situation of
growth?
 You are an archetypal hero because…
 Body Paragraphs
 Explanation of your steps aligning with that of
an archetypal hero
 Conclusion
 The main lesson you learned from your journey
and why you are grateful for the experience.

5. Rubric
Requirements Points earned and
Comments
Introduction gets reader’s attention
(5 points)
Body Paragraphs fully tell a story
(10 points)
Body paragraphs align personal
story with at least five steps of the
archetypal hero journey.
(10 points)
Conclusion focuses on a lesson
learned and personal growth. (10
points)
Imagery and details made the
writing interesting. (10 points)
Grammar and spelling did not
distract from the reading. (10
points)
MLA format was used. (5 points)
Final Grade _________/60