NARRATIVE NARRATIVE WRITING UNITWRITING UNIT

DAY 1:DAY 1:

ANALYZINGANALYZING

Why Do We Tell Why Do We Tell Stories? Stories? (prompt)(prompt)Part A

Think about the many reasons why people tell stories, then write about one of these reasons in your writer’s notebook.

(“The best reason to tell a story is _________ because stories __________.”)

“The storytelling self is a social self… who declares and shapes important relationships through the mediating power of words. ---Dyson and Genishi

“Narratives help us live our lives, and they help us do our work.”

---Friedricksen, Wilhelm, Smith

We Tell Stories We Tell Stories Because…Because…

-to entertain the reader (laugh, scare, amuse)-to express our feelings/emotions-to learn from our mistakes-to share our experiences-to create a new world-to have fun!

We Tell Stories We Tell Stories Because…Because…

Why Do We Tell Why Do We Tell Stories? Stories? (prompt)(prompt)Part B

Now think of an example of a story you have read, heard or viewed (TV, movies are allowed) that would be a good example for this reasoning.

(“__________ is a good example of this reasoning because _________.”)

Why Do We Tell Why Do We Tell Stories? Stories? (prompt)(prompt)Part C

Describe which narrative element you liked best about this particular story---plot, character, conflict, theme, setting, POV---then explain why.

(“I chose this story because it ________.”)

Elements of a Elements of a NarrativeNarrative

*After watching the video, we will take notes on the elements of a narrative.

Flocabulary Video (3:25)

These are a critical part of any short story, novel, or drama!!!

Plot - The sequence of events that make up the story.

Characterization - The characters involved in the story and how they contribute to the story.

Conflict - The struggle between two opposing forces; there are 4 types of conflict.

Theme - The message the author wants you to know.

Setting - The parts of the story’s location, including: time, place, weather, and atmosphere.

Point of View - How the story is told and by whom.

Elements of a Elements of a NarrativeNarrative

Now we will listen to a story. Find some space to write down notes about the elements appearing in chapter 1 of…

(audio link)

Plot -

Characterization -

Conflict -

Theme -

Point of View - First Person

Setting -

House on Mango Street House on Mango Street (prompt)(prompt)

Describe in detail the place that you call home (house, apartment, or other). Include the sounds and smells typical of your home, and perhaps how certain structures or objects feel in or outside of it.

Finally, embed one brief anecdote, or experience, that shows something that happened in or around your home (like the nun and the apartment in Cisneros’ book).

Walk & Talk ActivityWalk & Talk ActivityOkay, stand up and start walking around the room in no particular fashion.

Don’t stop until the music does!!!

Walk & Talk ActivityWalk & Talk Activity

With your partner, discuss a favorite character from any story (ex. novel, movie, or TV series).

Walk & Talk ActivityWalk & Talk Activity

What movie should your partner go home and watch tonight?

Walk & Talk ActivityWalk & Talk Activity

If you wrote a fictional story today, where would the location, or setting, be?

Narrative Reporting Narrative Reporting ActivityActivity

*Find a partner: one is storyteller, one the reporter.

*Storyteller - tell the story of your favorite birthday celebration ever!

*Reporter - write down all of the story’s elements:

What happened? When did it happen?

Who was there? Where did it happen?

Why it happened, or what was memorable?

*NOW, switch roles and do it again!!!

DAY 2:DAY 2:

RESEARCHINGRESEARCHING

*VIEW THE SECOND POWERPOINT!!!

Nonfiction Group Nonfiction Group AnalysisAnalysis

DAY 3:DAY 3:

BRAINSTORMINGBRAINSTORMING

Writing WellWriting Well

Okay, so maybe you haven't lived the life of

Helen Keller, Malcolm X or Maya Angelou. Or

maybe you are thinking, ”My life is as exciting

as watching drying paint.”

Well, you are wrong! Your life is actually tremendously exciting. That's because even mundane events are fascinating in the hands of a good writer… And that's you!

Writing WellWriting Well

When you write a personal narrative, you relate

a meaningful incident from the first-person

point of view. The story might

• describe a conflict that you untangled• a discovery that you made• an experience that moved you in

some way

Writing WellWriting Well

A personal narrative has the same elements as a

short story—plot, conflict, characters, setting,

theme, and point of view.

But when you write a personal narrative, you aren’t creating these elements from your imagination. Rather, they come from your own experience.

Consider interviewing family, friends, and neighbors about the incident which can help shed light on your memories and enable you to view the incident from several different vantage points.

Book CreditBook CreditThe previous slides were excerpted from The previous slides were excerpted from The The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing WellComplete Idiot's Guide to Writing Well © 2000 by  © 2000 by Laurie Rozakis, Ph.D.Laurie Rozakis, Ph.D.

http://www.infoplease.com/cig/writing-well/life-line-personal-http://www.infoplease.com/cig/writing-well/life-line-personal-narratives.htmlnarratives.html

My ExampleMy Example

Now view Mr. McDonald’s “Stealing Home” writing plan and full essay on

his website!

Writing Situation:New beginnings can take many forms. For many, a new beginning comes with the start of a new school year. For others, a new beginning could be starting a new sports season, moving to a new home, or changing a habit. Think about a time when such a new beginning affected you. Your school newspaper is going to include a series of essays that captures these “New Beginnings.”

Writing Directions:Write an essay for your school newspaper in which you tell about a time when you experienced a “new beginning.”

DAY 4:DAY 4:

DRAFTINGDRAFTING

Drafting TipsDrafting Tips- Skip the introduction and write the body paragraphs—the story—first .

(Paragraphs #2, #3, and #4).

- Give your reader some background information in the beginning . (What was going on BEFORE the event?)

- Include the required elements from your Writing Plan as you write. (plot, character, conflict, theme, setting)

DAY 5:DAY 5:

EDITINGEDITING

Editing Activity #1Editing Activity #1Grab your story notes and your Writer’s Notebook, stand up and start walking the room in no particular fashion.

Don’t stop until the music does!!!

Editing Activity #1Editing Activity #1

With your partner, discuss the CHARACTERS in your narrative—What are they like? Did you use good descriptors for them?

Editing Activity #1Editing Activity #1

With your partner, discuss the SETTING, or location, of your narrative—Where did it take place? Did you use good descriptors for it?

Editing Activity #1Editing Activity #1

With your partner, discuss the PLOT, or action, of your narrative—What was going on before, during and after this event took place?

Editing Activity #1Editing Activity #1

With your partner, discuss the THEME, or a lesson you learned, through this narrative—How did this event impact your life?

Editing Activity #2Editing Activity #2Step 1EDITING means adding, taking out, re-phrasing, re-writing, or moving things around in the paper to make it more readable and interesting. Read through the paper and make three specific suggestions for editing it. (Include examples of what? Which anecdote? What details? Move this paragraph to what location?)

Editing Activity #2Editing Activity #2Step 2

PROOFING means locating and correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence errors in your paper. Using proofreading marks, proof your paper using the bottom-up method. Answer the following questions:

DAY 5 & 6:DAY 5 & 6:

FINAL DRAFTFINAL DRAFT

Final DraftFinal Draft

Today we will spend time in the computer lab typing your Rough Draft into the first stage of your Final Draft.

This is NOT the end… more revisions ahead!!!

DAY 6:DAY 6:

REVISIONREVISION

Peer Review & Peer Review & RevisionsRevisions

With a partner, you must read their narrative and answer the questions addressed on the Peer Review form.

DAY 7:DAY 7:

UNIT TESTUNIT TEST

Unit TestUnit Test

DAY 8:DAY 8:

CELEBRATIONCELEBRATION

Celebration!Celebration!

Publishing Party Ideas: Air-guitar contest

Lip-synching contest

Chair dancing contest

TV series episode

Movie (Freedom Writers, Dead Poets Society, Mean Girls)