Narrative Skillz 20 Questions

1. Narrative Skillz20 Questions Where to begin? Do I need a conflict? Reflections in a narrative?

2. Guide to 20 Questions • Participate by answering and asking questions! • Take notes on important concepts, or write examples!!!!!!! • You may use old notes to help you. Let’s practice - • Question 1: What is narrative writing? Distinguish it from other types of writing! Answer: Narrative writing is… Writing that tells a specific story!

3. Question 2: Where should I begin my narrative? Questions • It’s important to answer these questions before you begin. • 3. What is the main topic of the story? • 4. Who is the main character of the story? • 5. What is the theme of my story? • 6. What moment in the story will draw readers in?

4. Question 7: Which is your favorite example of a beginning? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db5rRtOExbA • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGt_0SZoisM • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJlmYh27MHg • Question 8: Which one made you want to know what happens next most? • Question 9: Why? • Question 10: Which was your least favorite?

5. Question 11: Which do you do? Opening Do’s Opening Don’ts Do not begin well before the main event Do not begin with waking up Do not begin with traveling Do not wait to get to the main idea Do not focus on unnecessary details Do not write vaguely about multiple events • Begin with imagery, action, meaningful dialogue, etc. • Focus on the main characters only • Use author’s craft • Introduce the main idea quickly • Start with something specific and focus on one story • Introduce a conflict

6. Question 12: • What are your personal goals with the next opening you write? • Question 13: Will you practice a quick opening sentence to a story about the last time you helped someone with something important? (Make it up if you can’t think of anything.) • Ex. Paper and books were strewn all over the floor as the binder fell spectacularly from the rushing student’s arms.

7. Question 14: Do you really have to have a reflection in a narrative? Answer: Yes, and here’s why… Do’s for a reflection Include a brief final paragraph (this connects to the resolution of the plot mountain) Use author’s craft to explain how the story has affected the rest of your life/will affect your future Connect your story to the world in general/another famous story, etc. • While narratives are stories and part of the joy of stories is simply telling a story, the best stories not only tell an interesting story they also have a deeper meaning. • In a personal narrative, the reflection provides the reader a direct insight into the story’s deeper meaning. • This way they’re more likely to remember the lesson!

8. Conflict Questions • Question 15: What is a conflict? • A fight, challenge, obstacle, disagreement, etc. that the main character encounters • Question 16: Should my story have a conflict? • Yes! People find stories more compelling when there is some difficulty to be overcome. This also helps make the theme of the story clearer as it almost always connects to the outcome of the conflict.

9. Author’s Craft Questions Examples You should absolutely use lots of IMAGERY: the five senses. Try to use metaphors, similes, personification. Dialogue is a great storytelling device. • 17. Should I use author’s craft? • Yes! As much as possible. • 18. What types of author’s craft should I use in my essay? • A great variety! • 19. Why use author’s craft? • It expands your and the reader’s minds!

10. 20. Should I write about one specific story or multiple different things? • ONE! • You should choose one story and one story only to focus on! We only have one page to write, so write what you want to be as specific as possible with that space. • Bonus: Write a story that makes you happy =)