Narrative Writing: Writing a phase autobiography

Objectives: SWBAT understand the purpose, content, and form of a narrative SWBAT choose a topic to write about SWBAT plan, draft, revise, and edit a phase autobiography

What is a narrative? Personal experience Changed your attitude or feelings Living vicariously through your writing…

How do I get my reader to experience what I experienced? Four key elements Action Sensory details Dialogue Personal reflection

Narrative Writing Warm-Up: Being Selective Include specific details Don’t overwhelm VERY SHORT period of time Choose specific details that share the main focus of your experience

Sample Details List Waterskiing A friend asked me to go waterskiing with him It was Memorial Day Weekend I was hoping my parents would say no I didn’t want to look silly Even my friend’s kid sister could ski The boat had 150 hp motor The skis were huge My friend’s cousins showed up My first attempt left me with a mouth full of water I finally got up on the skis and sailed across the lake. There was no wind and the water was like glass I even crossed the wake without falling I pulled and leaned so that I was running parallel to the boat I waved to people on the shore I was so pleased, and my friend celebrated with me After a rest, I was ready to go again.

Now you try it: (Activity 1) Think of an experience that changed you. List the details related to the experience. Then review your list and cross out any unimportant ideas. Remember, you don’t need to share every detail, just a good story.

Writing a Narrative Paragraph Narrative = important experience Three Main Parts to ONE paragraph: The topic sentence Body sentences must recreate the experience The closing sentence reflects on the experience Vivid and colorful language which helps the reader visualize Use ACTIVE verbs (sliced, leaped, sailed, surged, etc.)

Now you try it: (Activity 2) Utilizing your details list, write a narrative paragraph about an experience that changed you.

T.V. Timeout for “Everybody Has a Story” Do I have a volunteer to read? While you follow along, highlight or underline aspects of the narrative which are done well.

Everybody Has a Story The title often gives clues as to what a piece is about Beginning: The writer starts in the middle of the action and introduces the situation = a hook Middle: Descriptive details End: By the end, the narrative explains how an experience changed the writer.

Now you try it: (Activity 3) Together, let’s compile a list of categories that may suggest life-changing experiences for students. Sports School clubs or extracurricular activities Summer vacations Volunteer events and part-time jobs Family events

Aspects to include in your narrative: Specific actions or events which move the story forward Sensory details show what you saw, felt, heard, smelled or tasted Personal thoughts reveal your feelings and insights at that time

Mini Lesson on Dialogue Five quotes of dialogue must be included Show a speaker’s personality Keep the action moving Peak interest

Sensory Details Include two examples of each of the five senses: Touch “the fluffy cashmere blanket” Taste – “I devoured the warm, chewy chocolate chip cookies” Sight – “the chemicals puffed into a white cloud” Sound- “the safety fan roared to life” Smell – “the potent smell of bleach filled the air”

Does the ending connect with the beginning? Beginning: “When Mom asked me to walk the Appalachian Trail with her, I thought, “Do I really want to do this?” Ending: Mom and I looked back over the 400 miles we’d hiked together, and I knew that it was the best thing I’d ever done.

Does the ending connect with the beginning? Beginning: I sat shivering, staring at the high school pool, and thought I’d never be strong enough to become a lifeguard. Ending: All the chlorine and swallowed water was worth it when I got my lifesaving certificate.

You try it: (Activity 4) Write your first sentence in the narrative Write your last sentence Does the beginning and the ending match up?

Other Aspects to Include in your Writing Include effective transition words and phrases. Sure though In conclusion As a result However Usually Because

You try it? (Activity 5) Review your phase autobiography, underlining transition words or phrases. Circle five transitions. Add transitions where necessary.

Utilzing figures of speech to your writing A simile – Her hair swished like a velvet curtain A metaphor- He’s a bolt of lightning Personification- My bicycle was happy to be washed Onomatopoeia- The whirring of the buzz saw surprised us

Conclusion You MUST learn a lesson in your narrative and tell the reader about the lesson you’ve learned …. Re-read previous narrative examples.