1. Why do we tell stories?

2. Why do we exchange stories? Stories help us pull our life into a pattern Hearing about someone else’s life gives us perspective on our own Swapping narratives binds us together as a community A narrative relates a series of events. The events may be real –as in histories, biographies, or news stories, or imaginary, as in short stories and novels.

3. Narration: relating events What are the elements of narration?

4. Elements of narration: Purpose Action Conflict Point of view Key events Dialogue

5. Narration Purpose- a narrative makes a point, has a purpose – stated or unstated Writers of history delve into the motives underlying the events Narratives of personal experience offer insights/lessons

6. Narration Action –narration presents, re-creates action Conflict- the events in our lives are shaped by conflicts that need to be resolved. Conflict and its resolution motivate and structure the action

7. Narration Point of view- first person/third person Key events- Identify and build your narrative around its key events- those that bear directly on your purpose. Include just enough secondary events to keep the narrative flowing smoothly Dialogue- animates narratives, livening the action and helping draw the reader into the story

8. Exercise: List two people who had a major impact on your life. (how, why) List three major events in your life. List all the events leading up to them, then select key events. Describe two favorite memories that are different from major events. Describe two major conflicts in your life.

9. Planning and drafting a narrative Make sure the experience you pick illustrates some point Develop a plot outline showing the significant events in your narrative Use the opening of your paper to set the stage for what follows. You might tell when and where the action occurred, provide helpful background information, not the incident that activated the chain of events State you main point The body of the narrative should move the action forward until a turning point is about to be reached