Narrative Topic for 8th grade studentsNarrative Topic for 8th grade studentsYou are on your way to …. as you reach for the door You are on your way to …. as you reach for the door

knob, Charlie Gordon approaches you. He knob, Charlie Gordon approaches you. He introduces himself and asks for assistance. Write a introduces himself and asks for assistance. Write a narrative introducing the reader to where you are, narrative introducing the reader to where you are,

what your plans are and now that you have met what your plans are and now that you have met Charlie what you two do together. Remember to Charlie what you two do together. Remember to

mention three (essential) things that you do mention three (essential) things that you do for/with him.for/with him.

NB: NB: Remember his condition just before he left New Remember his condition just before he left New York, from the story York, from the story Flowers for Algernon.Flowers for Algernon.

Please include a captivating title for your narrative. Please include a captivating title for your narrative.

An introductory paragraph. An introductory paragraph.

The three things you would do with or for him, each The three things you would do with or for him, each on its own paragraph. Explain and give details.on its own paragraph. Explain and give details.

The concluding paragraph. The concluding paragraph.

Do not exceed three pages/minimum one and a half Do not exceed three pages/minimum one and a half pages.pages.

Read the rest of the power-point for interesting Read the rest of the power-point for interesting ideas.ideas.

Good-Luck(rubric is on the last slide)Good-Luck(rubric is on the last slide)

• Is an interesting story about the writer.Is an interesting story about the writer.• Is written in the first person (using the Is written in the first person (using the

pronouns I, me, and my.pronouns I, me, and my.• Has a beginning, a middle, and an end.Has a beginning, a middle, and an end.• Presents events in a clear order.Presents events in a clear order.• Uses details to help readers see people, Uses details to help readers see people,

places, and events.places, and events.• Shows how the writer feels about the Shows how the writer feels about the

experience and experience and whywhy it is meaningful to him it is meaningful to him or her.or her.

The personal narrative The personal narrative tells abouttells about

• A good timeA good time• A bad timeA bad time• An important timeAn important time• A memorable eventA memorable event• A first timeA first time• A last timeA last time

• Take a few minutes and write without stopping.Take a few minutes and write without stopping.• Write about where the story takes place. Close Write about where the story takes place. Close

your eyes and recall the place in your narrative. your eyes and recall the place in your narrative. What do you see? Hear? Taste? Smell? Feel?What do you see? Hear? Taste? Smell? Feel?

• Write about the people who will be in your Write about the people who will be in your narrative. Think about the way each one looks, narrative. Think about the way each one looks, acts, and speaks. Conversation or dialogue is a acts, and speaks. Conversation or dialogue is a good way to draw your readers into the action.good way to draw your readers into the action.

• List the main events of the narrative along a List the main events of the narrative along a timeline.timeline.

Bat SummerBat SummerOne warm summer night I was trying to get to One warm summer night I was trying to get to

sleep. I had my window open to let in the cool air. All of sleep. I had my window open to let in the cool air. All of

the sudden, I heard what sounded like a bat. My sister the sudden, I heard what sounded like a bat. My sister

heard it too and ran out the door. The door slammed shut heard it too and ran out the door. The door slammed shut

and I was alone with the bat. I threw the blanket over my and I was alone with the bat. I threw the blanket over my

heard and screamed for help. Finally, my dad heard me heard and screamed for help. Finally, my dad heard me

and came running. As the bat flew wildly around my and came running. As the bat flew wildly around my

room, my dad snuck up on it with a net. He caught the bat room, my dad snuck up on it with a net. He caught the bat

and then set it free outside. My room was again safe, but I and then set it free outside. My room was again safe, but I

never slept with the window open again.never slept with the window open again.

• Appeal to the Appeal to the reader’s senses by reader’s senses by writing a vivid writing a vivid description of the description of the scene.scene.

• Make readers Make readers wonder by asking a wonder by asking a question.question.

• Lure readers into Lure readers into the story quickly by the story quickly by using dialogue.using dialogue.

Supporting ParagraphsSupporting Paragraphs

• Always begin with a Always begin with a topic sentence. Use topic sentence. Use specific details that specific details that support the topic support the topic sentence. Use sensory sentence. Use sensory words to keep the words to keep the reader’s attention.reader’s attention.

• Wrap up the paragraph Wrap up the paragraph with a concluding or with a concluding or transitioning sentence.transitioning sentence.

• Remember to develop a Remember to develop a minimum of 3 minimum of 3 supporting paragraphs.supporting paragraphs.

Character developmentCharacter development

• Your characters must look and sound ‘real’ or Your characters must look and sound ‘real’ or crediblecredible

• Characters should move a story along – they need Characters should move a story along – they need to have a specific roleto have a specific role

• Interactions between characters should be Interactions between characters should be believablebelievable

• There needs to be a purpose to any character There needs to be a purpose to any character traits given traits given

Think back to the novels/short stories you have read and try to Think back to the novels/short stories you have read and try to determine why you enjoyed reading some as opposed to determine why you enjoyed reading some as opposed to others. What was it about the character/s, the story itself, or others. What was it about the character/s, the story itself, or the imaginative world the author created?the imaginative world the author created?

Use transitions to guide Use transitions to guide your readers through your your readers through your

story!!story!!

• First First • NextNext• LaterLater• FinallyFinally• More importantMore important• Most of all Most of all • Last but not leastLast but not least

• ThereforeTherefore• BecauseBecause• As a resultAs a result• ConsequentlyConsequently• SinceSince• ForFor• SoSo

• Similarly Similarly • In contrastIn contrast• UnlikeUnlike• On the other handOn the other hand• NeverthelessNevertheless• In the same wayIn the same way

• Such asSuch as• For exampleFor example• In other wordsIn other words• Along withAlong with• For instanceFor instance• LikeLike

ConclusionConclusion

• Use a topic sentence for your Use a topic sentence for your concluding paragraph.concluding paragraph.

• Wrap up all loose ends so that the Wrap up all loose ends so that the reader doesn’t have any questions.reader doesn’t have any questions.

• Your last sentence should conclude Your last sentence should conclude the narrative. The reader knows the narrative. The reader knows that the story is over.that the story is over.

• Read your paper aloud to Read your paper aloud to

yourself or a partner. yourself or a partner. Did the introduction Did the introduction capture you or your capture you or your partner’s attention?.partner’s attention?.

• Is the order of events Is the order of events clear? Did I include clear? Did I include transitions?transitions?

• Do I use details that Do I use details that appeal to the five senses?appeal to the five senses?

• Is the conclusion an end Is the conclusion an end to the narrative?to the narrative?

• Do I have at least five Do I have at least five paragraphs?paragraphs?

When I was at school I used to sit at the back of the class. I sat there so I could do stuff. I got away with lots of stuff by sitting at the back of the class where the teacher couldn’t see me properly. I liked to make people laugh when I felt like it. A lot of people did laugh. The back desk at school was the best. Why? Because that’s where I could sit and plan my plots of mischief. It was so cool. I remember sitting behind Wayne, this huge kid with a really big head and broad shoulders. He was the best shield a guy like me could have wished for. There was no way the teacher could see past him to me. Perfect. I used to lob water balloons and itchy-itchy balls into the laps of the girls from my desk and they would think it was Wayne! It was a scream to see Wayne look up from his books and just say, ‘What? What did I do? One day, I…….

Narrative Topic for 8th Narrative Topic for 8th grade studentsgrade students

• You are on your way to …. as you reach for You are on your way to …. as you reach for the door knob, Charlie Gordon approaches the door knob, Charlie Gordon approaches you. He introduces himself and asks for you. He introduces himself and asks for assistance. Write a narrative introducing assistance. Write a narrative introducing the reader to where you are what your the reader to where you are what your plans were and now that you have met plans were and now that you have met Charlie what you two do together. Charlie what you two do together. Remember to mention three (essential) Remember to mention three (essential) things that you do for/with him.things that you do for/with him.

• NB: NB: Remember his condition just before he Remember his condition just before he left New York. left New York.

Attribute 25-24 23-22 21-20 19-18 17-16 15-14

IdeasThe narrative tells about an unforgettable experience. The details make the story truly memorable.

The writer tells about an interesting experience. Details help create the interest.

The writer tells about an interesting experience. More details are needed.

The writer needs to focus on one experience. Some details do not relate to the story.

The writer needs to focus on one experience. Details are needed.

The writer needs to tell about an experience and use details.

OrganizationThe organization makes the narrative enjoyable and easy to read.

The narrative is well organized, with a clear beginning, middle, and ending. Transitions are used well.

The narrative is well organized. Most of the transitions are helpful.

The order of events needs to be corrected. More transitions need to be used. One part of the narrative is week.

The beginning, middle, and ending all run together. The order is unclear.

The narrative needs to be organized.

VoiceThe writer’s voice creates an unforgettable experience for the reader.

The writer’s voice sounds natural and creates interest in the story. Dialogue is used.

The writer’s voice creates interest in the story. More dialogue is needed.

A voice can usually be heard. Dialogue is needed.

The voice is weak. Dialogue is needed.

The writer has not gotten involved in the story. Dialogue is needed.

Word ChoiceThe writer’s exceptional word choice captures the experience.

Strong nouns and verbs and well-chosen modifiers create vivid, clear pictures.

Modifiers are used. Strong nouns and active verbs would improve sensory images.

Strong nouns, verbs, and modifiers are needed to create sensory images.

General and overused words do not create sensory images.

The writer has not yet considered word choice.

Sentence FluencyThe sentences are skillfully written and original. They keep the readers interest.

The sentences show variety and are easy to read and understand.

The sentences are varied, but some should flow more smoothly.

A better variety of sentences is needed. Sentences do not read smoothly.

Incomplete and/or short sentences make the writing choppy.

Few sentences are written well. Help is needed.

Conventions The narrative is error free.

The narrative has a few minor errors in punctuation, spelling, or grammar.

The narrative has several errors in punctuation, spelling, or grammar.

Some errors confuse the reader.

Many errors make the narrative confusing and hard to read.

Help is needed to make corrections.