1. Narrative

2. Agenda N2K Get your mind “Write” Essential Question The Narrative
Exit Ticket

3. Is this how you feel when you write? Stream of consciousness

4. Get your mind “Write”
Write your stream of consciousness starting with…
1. it’s a dreary, rainy Wednesday…
Write down the next 9 things that come to mind…associative connections!!!

5. Essential question

6. The Narrative
The purpose of a narrative is to develop an imagined experience or event.
In a narrative, the writer creates a story to entertain readers that includes a concluding point or message.
Because narratives are personal stories, the writer is able to be more creative with the structure and organization.

7. Structure and Organization- Introduction:
The main idea of the narrative is established in the introductory paragraph.
This is where a writer provides background information and presents it in a way that captures the readers’ attention.
An introduction should also include a hook or opening sentence written in the form of dialogue or a description used to capture the reader’s attention.
Description example: In a neighborhood of well-groomed lawns, House 71 stood apart with its dusty cobwebs, dirty bricks, and creaky wooden porch.
Dialogue Example: “Don’t let go. Whatever you do, don’t let go,” screamed Mavis and she reached for the other end of the rope.

8. Thesis
A narrative’s thesis statement is not exactly like the thesis statements used in Argumentative or Explanatory essays.
The thesis statement for a narrative essay does not outline the whole essay. Instead, it should convey the overall theme of the narrative or a lesson learned.
Example: Everybody thought that the woman who lived in House 71 was a witch, until one Halloween night when I uncovered her true nature.

9. point of view The writer must establish a point of view.
A narrative may be written in the first-person (I) or third- person (he, she, it), but do not use second person (you).
If you are part of the action, the first-person provides the best perspective.
If you are relating an event based upon other sources, use the third-person point of view.
Once you have decided upon a point of view, stay consistent.

10. Point of view
FIRST PERSON narrator is when the author/narrator is inside the story, telling the story as a major or minor character who says “I”. Most first person stories are direct characterization because the author tells what he or she is thinking.
THIRD PERSON OMNISCIENT narrator is when the author/narrator is outside the story but still tells what the characters are thinking. The author/narrator uses direct and indirect characterization.
THIRD PERSON LIMITED narrator is outside the story and gives the feelings of a single character—direct. Other characters are viewed objectively—indirect.

11. Body Paragraphs
Narratives can be told in chronological order or in the order of importance, and often include flashbacks to ensure the story has a beginning, middle, and end.
Each paragraph should have a topic sentence that expresses the main idea of the paragraph.
It is important that writers do not just list events or summarize experiences, but that they also explain what makes their experiences significant and how they relate to the essay’s thesis statement.
In addition, the writer should keep in mind that the narrative should be entertaining from beginning to end.

12. 5. Organization A narrative usually follows a chronological time line
flashbacks are a creative option as long as the narrative can be clearly followed by the reader.
Narratives can be told in the past or present tense, but once you choose a tense you must stay consistent.

13. Below are some elements of the narrative essay that can help a writer create stronger body paragraphs:
Dialogue: Adding conversations or dialogue complete with correct punctuation can help bring a writer’s experiences to life and show the personalities of key characters.
“I heard that she puts curses on children to turn them into cockroaches,” Joey said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
I replied, “Well, I heard she makes candy out of kids’ eyeballs.”

14. Sensory language:
Thinking about the five senses (touch, smell, sound, sight, and taste) while writing, can create a vivid image in the reader’s mind.
Ex: With the sound of the howling wind as my only companion, I walked towards the decrepit house guided by the yellow moonlight.

15. Transitions: When telling a story, flow and clarity are key.
Using transition words or phrases such as next, finally, during, after, when, and later, between sentences and paragraphs will make it easier for the reader to follow the events in the essay.
Ex: After what seemed like hours, she opened the door. Despite the horrifying rumors, I felt no fear as the Witch of 71 gave me a warm smile and said hello.

16. Pacing:
Pacing refers to breaking up your narrative with specific examples, detailed descriptions, and dialogue
A detailed description or dialogue is a way of "focusing in" and slowing down the action; conversely, when you are presenting background material or less important elements of your narrative, you may not want to use as much detail.
Without pacing your narrative becomes flat and monotonous.

17. Conclusion At the end of every story there is a resolution.
Just like any story, the narrative essay provides a sense of closure in the conclusion.
By the time the reader gets to the last paragraph, they should gain a deeper understanding of what the writer has learned and why the story they told is important
The narrator should REFLECT on the experience in the conclusion.

18. Reflection.
Writing a personal reflection in your conclusion gives you a chance to think and feel more deeply about your story. When you write a reflection, you may share a lesson you learned.
 You might draw some conclusions about your experience or reflect on how it changed your life. You might even take some time to explore your deepest feelings about your experience and come up with a fresh and surprising insight or two.

19. Inside The Introduction
Introduction (who, what, when, where, why) Attention-getter/hook Significance of topic Significance of topic to you Significance of topic to your reader Thesis: What is the central idea you want to get across with your essay?

20. Inside Body Paragraphs
Setting – where the action of the story takes place. Description of setting using five senses Explanation of significance of the setting Background about event—to allow a reader to understand the history of people or event and any relevant details about the event. Major and Minor Characters with physical descriptions as well as personality descriptions. Short anecdote or foreshadowing Details establishing conflict Details establishing the relevance of the problem for the characters.

21. III. Beginning of Event A. Explain how things started to happen
B. Show what people did to reach the point where the event was imminent—point of no
return.
C. Detailed sensory description of what happened
D. Feelings about what happened

22. IV. Climax of Event A. Things come to a head
B. Detailed sensory description
C. Feelings about what happened

23. V. Resolution of Event A. Tell how things end up
B. Reflect on the events
C. Sum up the events