Personal Narratives and Memoirs
ConceptsCharacteristics of Narrative Writing
Sensory Details
How to "Write Long" (Detail Generating Questions)
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Personal Narrative Samples (6th Grade Level)Conquering Your Fears (Open with Google Chrome)
Example UnitLucy Calkins Narrative Unit (Open with Google Chrome)
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Lessons From Class
Pre-Writing and Planning
Brainstorming Topics: events where you learned something or were changed in some way
brainstorming_list_personal_narrative.pdf | |
File Size: | 35 kb |
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Identifying Central Ideas: Conflict and Theme
Narrative Structure: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution
Introduction: Exposition
Narrative Leads: Hooking the reader with a great first line
Foreshadowing: Building suspense by hinting at what is to come
Including Background Information: What does the reader need to know to understand the conflict and plot?
Body Paragraphs: Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action
Tense consistency: Stay in past or present tense. Don't switch around (just pick one and stick to it. I suggest past tense because it is easiest)
Sensory Details: Put the reader in your shoes by telling them how everything FELT, SMELLED, TASTED, SOUNDED, and LOOKED.
Show, don't tell: Focus on FEELINGS, EMOTIONS and THOUGHTS more than the plain events
Using Transitions: fast forward through boring stuff and use slow motion at your "big moments"
Conclusion: Resolution
Closure: Re-visit your foreshadowing, and tell why this memory is important to give your reader a sense of satisfaction