Step 1: Examine Example Narratives
Click HERE and read the 4 example narratives. While reading, do the following steps:
- Digitally Copy and Paste the 4 example narratives into a Word Document.
- Underline sensory words or phrases (sensory = words that appeal to our 5 senses – sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch)
- Highlight the “thesis” of the excerpt – (Look for what the character learned from the experience: that is the “thesis”)
- Send your annotated example narratives to me by email: stolley@cuhsd.org (Put a heading at the top, and type "Annotated Narratives" in the subject line of the email). Save a copy digitally, and print a copy for your Portfolio.
Step 2: Narrative Pre-Write
Now, begin your own narrative pre-write. (You will be sending this to me by email, so you need to type it, but you can write it all first, if that helps) Write all your answers to the steps below (a-g), and email them to me - stolley@cuhsd.org. Save and print a paper copy for your Portfolio.
a) In one sentence, write (type) about a major experience that has influenced you in your life.
b) What is the thesis of your experience? What did you learn/gain from the experience?
c) Next, list the sensory details of sight , sound, taste, smell, and touch that are associated with your experience. (No sentences required, just list your ideas here.)
d) What does the reader need to know to understand the story? Write a paragraph (5+ sentences) to “set the stage” for your experience. (Focus only on the necessary background information, and don’t add anything that is not relevant.)
e) “Mood” is the emotion created in the reader by part or all of a literary work. A writer creates a mood through use of concrete details and sensory details. Now, think of the emotional quality or mood you want to create for those who read your story. Will your narrative be suspenseful? Dramatic? Funny? Scary?
In one or two sentences, how should the reader feel while reading your narrative?
f) Now, break-up your experience into three or four “critical events” or parts. What were the main things that happened in this experience, in order? Write a sentence to describe each critical event.
g) Interior Monologue: Internal monologue relates the thoughts inside a character’s head to express his or her internal or emotional state.
Now, you will transport yourself back to the time you went through the experience, and write about your thoughts and emotions as you went through the experience. How did you feel while each of the critical events were taking place?
(REMEMBER TO SEND ALL OF THIS TO ME - steps a through g - BY EMAIL: stolley@cuhsd.org - Make sure your heading is at the top, and write the assignment title: "Narrative Pre-write" in the subject line)
(REMEMBER TO SEND ALL OF THIS TO ME - steps a through g - BY EMAIL: stolley@cuhsd.org - Make sure your heading is at the top, and write the assignment title: "Narrative Pre-write" in the subject line)
Step 3: Write your Rough Draft:
Now you will combine all of your ideas (sensory details, mood, interior monologue, and your thesis) to create your narrative story. Use your 3-4 critical events as the topic sentence for each paragraph. You should write this on binder paper, double spaced.
(This can be hand written, but should be saved in your Portfolio)
(This can be hand written, but should be saved in your Portfolio)
Step 4: Type your Final Draft:
Read-through your Rough Draft, and correct any mistakes you find. Make sure it flows and you don't have any unnecessary information. Make sure you give sensory details and your emotions. Make sure you include the lesson you learned from the experience.
Your story should be 12 pt font, Times New Roman, Double Spaced. It should be more than 2 pages long (minimum).
Step 5: Submit your Essay
Email one digital copy to me at stolley@cuhsd.org.
Save a paper copy for your Portfolio.
