Narrative WritingShort Story Strategies

Dialogue7 Senses Imagery

Figurative LanguageSnapshots

DialogueUsing dialogue is “showing” versus “telling.” A character’s word choices, dialect, and conversation topics develop his or her character for the reader by revealing:•Attitudes•Values•Religious beliefs• Educational background

• Interests•Personality traits• Fears•Place of upbringing

Dialogue

Telling through narration: Whereas I tend to be more easily agitated, Todd has a pretty easy going temperament.Showing through dialogue: While talking in the backyard, my brother’s stray football bounces off Todd’s chest. I whip my head around to snap at Johnny, “What the…?” Todd, wincing and laughing, tosses the ball back, “He throws about like I did, when I was his age.”

DialogueThoughts are dialogue between character and reader, NOT author and reader. Think as your characters think, only adding sights, sounds, etc. that would cross their minds: I glare at the kid, the ball clutched against my aching ribs. Little brat just stands there, staring, like he expected an apology for my getting in the way of his ball, like he owns the world or something. Details should only be noted if the character would notice them: I look at my 6-year-old son, the ball clutched against my aching ribs. Bat at his side, blond hair falling into his eyes, he stares at me incredulously and pride wells up within me.

Your Turn

Review your Narrative Diagnostic essay •Underline 3 places where you have used dialogue or

thoughts to develop a character• If you cannot find 3 places, star places where you could

develop character using dialogue or thoughts• Total of 3 underlines/stars combined

Rewrite one of your starred sections using Dialogue for a grade. If no stars, no rewrite; your assignment grade will be based on all 3 underlined sections

7 Senses Imagery

•5 Senses: see, hear, smell, taste, feel (touch)• +1: know (6th sense)• +1: feel (emotion)•NOTE: Before you imagine, decide who you are (1st-

person main character or 3rd-person narrator) and speak from that perspective.

7 Senses ImageryPOV: Main Character (1st person)SEE: I see my mom, the house, the netting. HEAR: I hear the springs of the trampoline, my brother running behind me, my cousins laughing.SMELL: I smell chlorine, trees, breakfast cooking.FEEL (TOUCH): I feel the bottom of the trampoline, my brain shaking, my muscles tense up, crisp breeze.FEEL (EMOTION): I feel exhilarated, happy, secure.KNOW: Life is good, breakfast is coming, Christmas is fun.

7 Senses Imagery“A Trampoline for Christmas” FlashbackThe bottom of the trampoline gives way under my feet. My brain bobbles inside my head and tickles my ear drums. Every muscle in my body is tense with exhilaration in the embrace of this Christmas morning. Mommie watches me through her camera lens. She is laughing, her eyes bright and smiling. I delight in the symphony of trampoline springs, “Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!” mixed with my brother’s footsteps along the side cover, “Squonsh! Squonsh! Squonsh!” and little Eden’s giggles as she bounces in unison behind me. The chlorine from the pool wafts up behind me, stinging my nose with a clean, crisp smell that belongs to summer. I am happy. I am loved. All is right with my world and somehow, even at 6 years old, I know I will spend my life on the heels of this sensation.

Your Turn

Review your Narrative Diagnostic essay •Highlight in blue 3 places where you have developed an

image using 5 to 7 senses• If you cannot find 3 places, highlight in pink places where

you could develop the image •Total of 3 pink/blue highlights combined

Rewrite one of your pink sections using 7 Senses Imagery for a grade. If no pink, no rewrite; your assignment grade will be based on all 3 blue sections

Figurative Language

• Simile – like or as•Metaphor – comparison •Hyperbole – exaggeration•Personification – make

human

• Symbolism – representation •Alliteration – same

beginnings•Onomatopoeia – sounds • Idiom – idiotic saying

Writing that takes words beyond their actual meanings that the reader gains new insights into the objects or subjects (http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-figurative-language.html)

Figurative LanguageThe bottom of the trampoline gives way under my feet. My brain bobbles inside my head and tickles my ear drums. Every muscle in my body is tense with exhilaration in the embrace of this Christmas morning. Mommie watches me through her camera lens. She is laughing, her eyes bright and smiling. I delight in the symphony of trampoline springs, “Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!” mixed with my brother’s footsteps along the side cover, “Squonsh! Squonsh! Squonsh!” and little Eden’s giggles as she bounces in unison behind me. The chlorine from the pool wafts up behind me, stinging my nose with a clean, crisp smell that belongs to summer. I am happy. I am loved. All is right with my world and somehow, even at 6 years old, I know I will spend my life on the heels of this sensation.

Personification

Metaphor

Onomatopoeia

HyperboleAlliteration

Your Turn

Review your Narrative Diagnostic essay •Highlight in purple 9 uses of figurative language• If you cannot find 9 uses, highlight in yellow places where

you could add figurative language• Total of 9 purple/yellow highlights combined

Rewrite three of your yellow sections using Figurative Language for a grade. If no yellow, no rewrite; your assignment grade will be based on all 9 purple sections

Snapshots

•Create a picture • Zoom in• Slow down•Use 7 senses• Focus on one moment•https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA9YeKBRaL8

Your Turn

Review your Narrative Diagnostic essay •Highlight in green 3 places where you have developed an

image using snapshot• If you cannot find 3 places, highlight in orange places

where you could develop the image • Total of 3 green/orange highlights combined

Rewrite one of your orange sections using Snapshot for a grade. If no orange, no rewrite; your assignment grade will be based on all 3 green sections