What makes a story interesting?

Why do we tell stories?

What is a Personal

Narrative?

A Personal Narrative…

• Tells a story of the author• Relates events in a

sequence• Includes detailed

observation of people, places and events

• Involves conflict and tension

• Has a purpose

A personal Narrative…

Story…• Your story should have all of

the elements of a plot– Exposition– Rising action– Climax– Falling action– Resolution

Your plot should follow chronological order

• Avoid skipping around– it confuses the reader

• Flashbacks should be used carefully

Sequence…

Details…Your details should answer the 5

W’s and H:• Who?• What?• Where?• When?• Why?• How?

Sensory Details…Details should incorporate

the 5 senses in order to make the reader feel like they are experiencing the story with the author.

Touch

SOUND

taste

smell

sight

Conflict & Tension…• Every good story has a protagonist (main

character) with a problem to overcome. • The story is built on that character’s journey

to overcome the conflict.

Purpose…Your story should have a

purpose:• Persuade• Inform• Entertain