Name:_____________________________________
Early Obituary Assignment
In Tuesdays with Morrie, Morrie Schwartz talks about
going to a friend’s funeral. He mentions that people
only say nice things about others after they’re dead,
and not around to hear it. This is why Morrie decides
to organize his own “living funeral”. Look forward
into the future! Newspapers print obituaries to tell
about a person’s life and achievements after that
person has passed away. If you were to know your
own future and write your own obituary, what would it
include? What would you want people to remember
and say about you?
Each obituary should cover some basic life
information:
• What education or training did you have beyond
high school?
• Were you married with a family, and what
family members survive beyond you?
• What career or jobs did you have in your life?
• What accomplishments or challenges in life did
you have? Alternatively, what interests or
hobbies were most important to you?
• How would you summarize yourself in a single
statement if it were to be printed on your
grave?
Grammar focal points:
• Variety of sentence structures
• Complete sentences – no fragments or run-ons
• Capitalization of sentence beginning and proper
nouns.
• End punctuation – missing punctuation creates
run-ons
Date:_______
• Correct spelling
Writing focal points:
• Brainstorming
• Editing
Grading Rubric:
• Sentence Variety _____/8: Sentences show good
variety and flow easily from one to the next
without sounding awkward or confusing.
• Complete Sentences _____/12: No fragments or
run-ons present. (-1 for each occurrence)
• Capitalization _____/10: Capitalize the beginning
of each sentence and all proper nouns. (-1 for
each occurrence)
• Spelling _____/10: Use the dictionary and
computer spell-check appropriately. (-1 for each
occurrence)
• Content: Each obituary should include some
information related to the following items.
_____/4 Education
_____/4 Marriage and family
_____/4 Career
_____/4 Life accomplishments/
hobbies/challenges
_____/4 Single sentence summary for
“headstone”
Total: _____/60
57 – 60 A 54 – 56 B
51 – 53 C 48 – 50 D
HAWAII CONTENT PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
III
LA12.1.1 Use new grade-appropriate vocabulary
LA12.4.1 Write in a variety of grade-appropriate formats for a
variety of purposes and audiences, such as reflections that draw
Name:_____________________________________ Date:_______
comparisons between specific incidents and broader
themes

LA 12.5.1 Develop ideas and details in writing addressing a

specific purpose and audience

LA12.5.2 Use knowledge of sentence structure, grammar,

punctuation, capitalization, and spelling to produce grade-
appropriate writing in standard English