1. Narratives vs. Non-narratives
Susan Ely Reading and Responding

2. Narratives Non-Narratives
Use storyline in chronological order
(time order)
The point is what the writer or character learned from what happened
Heavy on description, setting, plot and character
Easy to visualize
Organized logically according to main ideas and details. Can use a variety of organizational patterns.
The point is stated in the thesis statement (statement of purpose)
Heavy on supporting reasons, evidence, research etc.
Not so easy to visualize

3. But….Sometimes we can use both
A narrative used in a non-narrative piece for support
Pg. 5, example 1.2
Introduction
supporting reason
supporting reason
Body
supporting reason
Conclusion

4. Why write narratives? Create shared history Entertain Spark curiosity
Help us find meaning through
real life events

5. But….. When used as support…. Narratives add human interest
Narratives provide insight
Narratives draw us closer to
the writer/storyteller
But…..

6. Support (cause/effect) Support (Statistics/facts)
Narratives used as support will most likely NOT be the main idea of the essay.
Narrative I
Event
Non-Narrative I
Support (cause/effect)
Support (compare)
Support (Narrative)
Support (Statistics/facts)

7. So, what’s the point in knowing if I’m reading a narrative or not?
“You have a better idea of how to read the assignment” (pg. 4)
How is this true?
You will know what to expect.
So…
It helps you preview (mapping where the reading will take you) because you know narratives use different comprehension clues
If you are reading a narrative, there are ways to help you remember what you read

8. General Narrative Structure
Climactic Moment
Rising Action (Tension)
Falling Action (Reflection) C o n
Introduction
Background
Setting
Thesis
c l u s i o n
Introduce Conflict

9. General Narrative Structure
-Background
-Setting
-Thesis
-Introduce
Conflict
Introduction
Event #1
Event #2
Event #3
Event #4
Rising Action
(Tension)
Climactic Moment
Falling Action (Reflection)
Discussion and closing events
Conclusion
Resolution, final impression or reference to the thesis

10. My Response Journal to “Fish Cheeks” by Amy Tan
Pre-reading: Think of a time when your parents, siblings or other close relatives put you into a social situation that made you feel very uncomfortable or embarrassed.

11. My Response Journal to “Fish Cheeks” by Amy Tan
Setting
Characters
Beginning Event (or problem)
Plot (or action)
Outcome
Personal Thoughts (what did you learning from the story)?

12. Thesis Statements in Narratives
main idea = (topic + meaning of the story)

13. 2 ways a narrative’s main idea might be incorporated
Explicit—directly articulates purpose of the story
Implicit—does not directly state the purpose. Starts right into story and lets the details/images reveal the thesis.

14. TOPIC: playing college football
Example
TOPIC: playing college football
Example Implicit Thesis Statement for narrative: starts right into story and lets the details/images reveal the thesis
Example Explicit Thesis Statement for narrative: My experience playing college football taught me skills that will benefit me throughout the rest of my life.

15. Narrative Characteristics
Has an implied or explicit thesis
Makes a point (reflection)
Conveys action and detail
Uses dialogue and description
Works toward climactic moment
Only includes details that develop tension and work toward climax

16. Vocabulary

17. Context (inference)
People who worked with him were mickled by Rashid’s terrible job performance.
A. disgusted
B. delighted
C. happy
D. disowned

18. Context (definition)
The scientific experiment was not tortentous; even after performing the experiment repeatedly, Dr. Watson couldn’t tell whether the medicine was safe.
A. available
B. timely
C. unclear
D. conclusive

19. Context (contrast)
Instead of actively job hunting, Sunil was soddile; he figured the right job would come to him.

20. Basic dictionary definition structure:
Term Class Characteristics
fork utensil two or more prongs
A fork is a utensil that has two or more prongs.

21. Basic dictionary definition structure:
Term ______Class __Characteristics
happiness feeling/emotion pleasure or enjoyment because of your life’s situation
Happiness is a feeling of pleasure or enjoyment because of your life’s situation.

22. Basic dictionary definition structure:
Term ______Class _____Characteristics
Leap to jump from a surface or over something
Pounce to jump suddenly, going toward and take hold of something

23. Vocabulary help
Online Dictionaries like Webster: Quizlet:

25. -Round 2-
Topic vs. Main Idea

26. Topic vs. Main Idea TOPIC MAIN IDEA
Can be stated in a single word or phrase
Not opinionated
MAIN IDEA
Stated in a complete sentence (in your own words)
Expresses the writer’s opinion on the topic
Also called _______

27. -Round 3-
Skim vs. Scan

28. Finding Main Idea
Scanning- Looking down and around a page quickly and efficiently searching to find specific information (word/phrases).
Search for:
Key words
Facts or phrases

29. Finding Main Idea Skimming- Discovering main ideas by reading:
1st and last paragraphs
topic sentences
paying attention to
Titles
bold type or italics
photographs captions

30. Skim vs. Scan SCAN ● Comes before skimming
● Does it have info. I’m looking for?
• Certain words
• Certain phrases
SKIM
● To quickly find details/main ideas
● Do 3-4 times faster than normal reading
● Reading a lot in a short amount of time
● Good when deciding if something is worth your time

31. New York Times