The Personal The Personal Narrative Narrative

EssayEssayAlicia GuarracinoAlicia Guarracino

Defining Personal Defining Personal NarrativeNarrative

NarrativeNarrative

MemoirMemoir

AutobiographyAutobiography

Biography Biography

AnecdoteAnecdote

Key ElementsKey Elements

True storyTrue story

First Person POV (I, me, we, us)First Person POV (I, me, we, us)

Story StructureStory Structure

Sensory Description, aka, ImagerySensory Description, aka, Imagery

PremisePremise

PremisePremise

Simple statement that the narrator believes Simple statement that the narrator believes to be true.to be true.

The events of the narrative work to The events of the narrative work to illustrate the truth of this statement.illustrate the truth of this statement.

Assignment Cue in AudioAssignment Cue in Audio

Story StructureStory Structure

Freytag’s PyramidFreytag’s Pyramid

Assignment Cue

Sensory Description Sensory Description (Imagery)(Imagery)

Description that appeals to the sensesDescription that appeals to the senses-Visual-Visual-Auditory-Auditory-Olfactory-Olfactory-Tactile-Tactile-Gustatory-Gustatory

Assignment Cue:

Tips for Your Personal Tips for Your Personal NarrativeNarrative

Include all of the key elements.Include all of the key elements.

Focus on one event.Focus on one event.

Enter late. Exit Early.Enter late. Exit Early.

Break paragraphs when setting (time/place) Break paragraphs when setting (time/place) changes, new people are introduced, plot changes, new people are introduced, plot points change, or at natural shiftspoints change, or at natural shifts

Edit by premise.Edit by premise.