Personal Narratives

Personal Narratives _Write What You Know_ by Low-T (Parody of _Black and Yellow_ by Wiz Khalifa).mp4

A personal narrative is a TRUE story about something that  happened to the writer.

When you write a personal  narrative, be sure to... use the word I tell the events in order grab your readers attention at the  beginning use details write in your own voice include only the important events

Remember... a good beginning makes the  reader want to read your  story. It makes them want to  find out what will happen.

Remember... including details make the narrative  real for the reader

Remember... It is important to stay on topic.  Don't add sentences to your writing  if they are not about what you were  originally writing about.

Remember... a good ending pleases the reader, they are glad they read the story. It was something they  enjoyed doing. Let's read a personal narrative  about one of the core virtues,  perseverance.

My Belief.docx

How does the beginning make you  want to find out what the personal  narrative is about?

Who is the I of this personal narrative? Nina

What details does the author give  to make the personal narrative  entertaining?

What is the topic of the personal  narrative? Is the writer keeping on  topic?

Choosing a Topic 1.  Who is the audience? Who are you writing this personal narrative for? a friend other students your age a teacher  an adult someone else ________________ 2.  Why are you writing this personal narrative? to inform (give someone important information) to entertain them (writing to tell them an interesting story) 3.  Write 3 ideas for a personal narratives that you could write about. ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

Writing a Good Beginning There are many ways to make a good  beginning for a personal narrative. A  good beginning. ask a question describe a feeling or a vivid scene show action present a problem use dialogue throw the reader into the middle of  an interesting situation

Ask a question! Have you ever been really scared? What's your idea of the perfect day?

Describe a feeling or a vivid scene. It was a dark and stormy night. The wind was raging. The sky  crackled with thunder. Suddenly, the light went out.

Show action The chicken had escaped. It squawked. It cackled. Then it  ran into the living room, fluttering its wings in a rain of feathers.

Present a problem or mystery The plan was set. I would baby-sit for the Smiths on Friday  night. But then I remembered: I'd promised to meet Joey at the  skating rink.

Use dialogue "This is your last chance, Lilly" the coach said. "If you're late  again, I'll toss you off the team.

Throw your reader into the middle of an interesting situation So there I was. behind me was a charging bull. Ahead of me  was the edge of the cliff. Fifty feet below was the Colorado  River.

Let's write 3 beginnings for your personal narrative. 3 Beginnings for a Personal Narrative 1. 2. 3.

Keeping to the Topic Remember, a good narrative must  stay on topic. Every sentence must provide  information about what happened. It must make the narrative better  making it funny, more interesting, or  more meaningful

Keeping to the Topic Read the sentences. They make up a personal narrative. Cross out each  sentence that contains something that doesn't keep to topic. 1. I was sitting in the living room. 2. It was late. 3. Outside it was snowing furiously. 4. Our clock was eight minutes fast. 5. Suddenly, the dog started to bark. 6. A strange shape staggered up the walk. 7. I was reading a magazine. 8. Suddenly, the shape came closer. 9. Tomorrow would be Sunday. 10. The shape looked like a toaster. 11. I was ready to call the police.

Keeping to the Topic Read the sentences. They make up a personal narrative. Cross out each  sentence that contains something that doesn't keep to topic. 12. My aunt Polly is a police officer. 13. "Get back!" I cried. 14. Some dogs bark at the moon. 15. "It's me!" the toaster said. "Charlie." 16. I love cinnamon toast. 17. Charlie is my brother. 18. He had gone to a costume party dressed as a toaster. 19. Charlie has a huge baseball card collection. 20. Charlie finally came in and the dog started barking.

Choose the beginning you like best. Start writing your personal narrative. Be sure to add details. Make sure you stay on topic. Tell the whole story. Bring your finished work  to me and I will help you  edit it for your final draft.

The End "Write What You Know"

Attachments My Belief.docx

Personal Narratives