By, Mr. Totten

Personal Narrative

A Personal Narrative is a personal story.Most usually write about.

EventsThings

Definition

Key Elements of your story include.SettingCharactersPlotDialogue

Key Elements to a Narrative

The setting is very important to your personal narrative. LocationTimeGeographyClimatePopulation

Setting

Characters are another important part of your personal narrative.AgeRelationshipDialogueGenderRound/Flat

Characters

Consider the plot when you write your personal narrative.Where are you going?Where are you starting?What is the conflict?What is the resolution?Is there a lesson learned?

Plot

Types of conflict includeMan vs. ManMan vs. SocietyMan vs. SelfMan vs. NatureMan vs. Machine/TechnologyMan vs. SupernaturalMan vs. Destiny

Conflict

Tone refers to the mood of your story.These moods include:

LightheartedOminousGloomyMysteryAnalyticalEct.

Tone

Tone is affected by each of the following:SettingCharactersDialogueRelationshipsCircumstancesEct.

Tone

The dialogue is a very important part of your personal narrative.

Dialogue refers to the conversation between characters in the story.AdultsTeenagersChildrenElderly

Dialogue

ProfessionRelationshipCircumstances

Mood/DispositionHardshipsLuckAttitudes

Dialogue cont…

Great writing is in the details! Details apply to everything involved in the

writing.SettingCharactersDialogueEct..

Details

Think about the Point of View you want to tell your story in.First PersonSecond PersonThird Person (Limited omniscient)Third Person (Omniscient)

Point of View

When you use First Person the story is told from the perspective of the main character.

Pronouns are prefered.IMeMy

Example:I forgot my keys at the beach and we were

stranded outside all evening.

First Person

The only pronoun used to refer to the main character (Subject) is You.

Second person is used forSongsPoems

Never write a story in second person!

Second Person

Third person stories are told by a narrator outside of the story.

The main character can be referred to by their name.

The word omniscient means “all seeing”You can read peoples minds.

So the narrator can read ALL characters’ minds.

Example:Ashley thought to herself I will have my

revenge as her brother called her “Ashtray” for the one-hundredth time in front of her friends.

Third Person (Omniscient)

Once again third person told by a narrator.The key here is the word “limited” omniscientThis means you can only read the main

character’s mind and no other characters.Continue from last Example:

Ashley will never get me back for my awesome nickname her brother, Rick, thought.

Third Person (Limited-Omniscient)

Conventions are important in everything you write.

Conventions refers to correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Reread what you turn in!

Conventions

The biggest piece of advice I can give for writing a story is SHOW the reader don’t TELL the reader.

Instead of saying:He was incredibly funny.Give me an example.

Use your example transitions.

SHOW Me Don’t TELL Me!

No one wants to hear about how your characters get from one place to another unless there is a conflict on the trip.

Keep your personal narrative simple. Decide where you are going and the

minimum amount of steps it will take to get you there.

Write about something you care about!

Tips

In a personal narrative you can stretch the truth—but it must be believable.

Believable things:TimeDialogueTransportation

Unbelievable things:AliensSuper PowersSpace

Tips Cont…

The BEST personal narratives are:“Personal”EngagingRealisticFlow smoothlyDifficult to write.Uncomfortable

Vulnerable

Advice

You are going to write a story about a moment in your life. The moment you choose can be tragic, funny, or even awe inspiring. Most importantly, your personal narrative should be revealing (learned something about yourself). Your story should keep the reader’s attention throughout. I don’t want to read about some regular boring every day experience unless something interesting happened. Your story should be 5 paragraphs and still have quality transitions. Remember the truth can be stretched, but it has to be believable.

The Assignment