PERSONAL NARRATIVE

2-3 PAGES—DOUBLE-SPACED

WHAT IS A PERSONAL NARRATIVE? In a personal narrative, you re-create an incident that happened to you over a short period of time. This incident could be an emotional experience, a silly or serious event, or a frightening encounter. Be sure to include enough specific details to make the incident come alive for your readers.

What is considered a short period of time? (1 day? 2 years? 3 months? 4 weeks? 5 hours?)

CHOOSING A TOPIC TO WRITE ABOUT Your assignment is to write about a PIVOTAL time in your life.

•What is a pivotal time in your life?•What are some examples?•What are some NON examples?

HOOKING YOUR READER!

WHATEVER IT TAKES TO PULL THE READER IN. •What are some examples of this specific tactic?•What are some examples of less intriguing introductory paragraphs?

SAID IS DEAD!!!

VARYING SENTENCE STRUCTURE

VARYING SENTENCE STRUCTURE

VARYING SENTENCE STRUCTURE

VARYING SENTENCE STRUCTURE

IMAGERY•THE USE OF LANGUAGE THAT CREATES A VISUAL IMAGE IN THE MIND OF THE READER; APPEALS TO THE FIVE SENSES.

SIGHTSOUNDTASTETOUCHSMELL

CONCLUDING WITH A PURPOSE …don’t just end it.

Have an actual ending or SO WHAT to your story.

No “To be continued” endings.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:•Today: Leave class with a narrative idea in mind

•Friday, November 13: Drafting in the library

•Tuesday, November 17: Rough draft due

•Thursday, November 19: FINAL draft due WITH your rough draft attached.