1. Characteristics of
Personal Narrative

2. What Does Personal Narrative Mean?
Personal~having to do with oneself
Narrative~telling a story
A personal narrative is a story about yourself!

3. Point of View
Personal Narratives are told in FIRST PERSON point of view
Use pronouns like I, me, we…
YOU are telling the story of what happened to you.

4. Focus of your personal narrative
Focus on only ONE event in your story
Do not try to tell your whole life story

5. CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
Personal Narratives should be told in chronological order
Start with what happened first, second, third, etc.
Use transitions that help show the passage of time (then, later, the next day, etc.)

6. Introduction Technique
Use a sophisticated introduction technique
For this assignment, you will you the technique called FLASHBACK
I will teach you how to use flashback when we start the writing process

7. Include reactions in your story
Tell the reader how people reacted to the events in the story
What did you and the other people DO?
What did you and the other people SAY?
This is what makes the story interesting and connects the reader to the events

8. Include reflection in your story
Reflection tells why the story is important
Reflection reveals what you and the other people in the story learned from the experience
Reflection indicates why the story is memorable
This is what makes your writing more mature!
Use reflection throughout your story, but especially at the end (as a conclusion)

9. ISAT Testing
There will be a Personal Narrative prompt on the ISAT test in March
You will be expected to write a multiple-paragraph essay

10. Your Prompt:
Write a Personal Narrative Essay about an important, life-changing event from your life
Include reactions and reflections in your essay
Use flashback as an introduction technique
Describe your memorable event
Return to the flashback in the conclusion
Follow the steps of the Writing Process