1. Warm-up
You have an object in front of you. We are calling it “Object X.” Please describe it in as many details as you possibly can. Think about what it looks like, smells like, feels like, sounds like, but NOT what it tastes like. You must write a full, complete page, or ¾ in a notebook, in order to be able to eat your candy. Don’t raise your hand and beg. I’ll take the candy away. I will come by and tell you when your writing is sufficient. (NO, YOU CANNOT JUST WRITE BIGGER).

2. Purpose of Description
Why did we just do the Object X activity?
When you are writing your narrative essay, you will need to use as many details as you possibly can. Make the reader feel alive, like they are walking in this story right along next to you. Don’t just tell— show!!

3. What is Narrative Writing?
Narrative writing is _______________ and ____________________.
It is not just writing random facts about your life and hoping they come out okay.
It follows a specific __________ ____________, focuses on a single time (or time period of your life) and shows that you __________________ something through it and became the better for it.

4. Specific: notes
Precision: making things exact, ______________, well-defined
Details: comprehensive, in depth, _________________
__________________ details: utilizing sight, sound, touch, taste or smell
________________: vibrant, colorful, dramatic, bright

5. Vivid Writing I will assign you a letter, A or B.
Based on your letter, you will do one of the following:
Write the most boring paragraph ever of what you are about to see. Do not use precision, details, sensory details, or vivid descriptions.
Compete to write the most amazing paragraph ever that incorporates precision, detail, sensory details, and vivid words.

6. Vivid Writing
We will walk outside and silently write what we see about the grass area in front of us.
A’s: Describing with precision, detail, sensory details, and vivid words.
B: making it boring.

7. What else does an autobiographical essay have?
An engaging attention grabber
A plot chart
Plot: main storyline, what is occurring
Characters: actors part in the story
Setting: location and situation
Climax: pinnacle of the action
Ending: conclusion of the story goes along with…
Lesson learned (theme!)

8. Dialogue
A strong autobiographical essay will also have dialogue.

9. How to Correctly Use Dialogue in Your Writing(

10. What is dialogue?
Dialogue is a _____________ quotation – a person’s exact words.
Ex: My mom said, “I’m so proud of your grades.”

11. Capitalizing Dialogue
Dialogue usually starts with a ____________ letter.
Ex: The lady yelled, “Watch out!”
When an expression identifying the speaker interrupts the dialogue, the second part of the dialogue begins with a ______________ case letter.
Ex: “Where,” asked Ms. Butterfield, “is my chocolate?”

12. Periods in Dialogue
Only put a period inside the ending quotation marks if it is the end of the _________________– no words can follow it.
Ex: My friend replied, “I can go on Monday.”
BAD Example: “I can go on Monday.” my friend replied.
(can’t put a period inside the quote because words come after it)

13. Comma instead of a period
If the dialogue is a statement and you can’t use a period inside the quotations because it isn’t the end of the sentence, use a ___________instead.
Ex: “Miley Cyrus is boss,” Maddie said.

14. Question and Exclamation Marks
Question marks and exclamations can go ___________ the quotation marks – even if it isn’t the end of the sentence.
Ex: The man screamed, “Watch out!”
Ex: “Do you play soccer?” my teacher asked.

15. Dialogue Between Two People
When two people are talking to each other, you have to start a new _______________ in between their dialogue.
Ex: I asked, “When do you want to go?”
“After school,” she replied.

16. Your Turn!
You will pass silent notes to each other for the next five. However, you must write in dialogue form, and must keep your conversations appropriate. Be ready to share.
For example:
“What are doing this weekend?” asked Sandra.
“Noah replied, “Nothing much. I might go to the movies.”
“Cool!” said Sandra. “What movie will you see?” . . .