Beginning Composition Narrative Unit - My Epiphany

Purpose of a Descriptive Narrative Convey a verbal picture with your reader: person place idea state of mind situation

Your first steps... Select your topic or situation Gather as many subjective or objective imagery driven details as possible What is your purpose (the message you are trying to convey)? What is the dominant impression you are looking to make?

Point of View Ask yourself...what POV will I tell this narrative from? First person? Third person?

Your Assignment Describe an event in your life wherein you experienced an epiphany. What is an epiphany? An epiphany is simply a revelation of some reality. The revelation can be anything but it must be meaningful. The purpose of the epiphany for this essay is to show a turning point for the writer.

Basic Components of an Effective Narrative Essay Establish a Context (Exposition): Let the reader know where and when the action happened, when it happened and to whom it happened.

Basic Components Continued 2. Details - Selective figuratively rich subjective and objective details that support your purpose and dominant impression (the emotion you are trying to convey).

Basic Components Continued 3. Organization - Your narrative, since it is a record of a complete action, should have a beginning, a middle and and end. All narrative lends itself to chronological order, but you do not necessarily have to start with the event that occurred first.

Basic Components Continued 4. Point of View: You should consider the point of view from which your narrative is told. Most students choose a first person narration, but perhaps a more detached 3rd person perspective in more appropriate for your essay.

Basic Components Continued 5. Diction: You should use descriptive words in your narrative. Avoid vague words such as good, nice, bad, etc. For example: Vague: “There was a fish on the counter.” Descriptive: “There was a slimy rock cod with bulging eyes that pleaded not to be thrown in the pan of hot oil.”

Basic Components Continued 6. Imagery: Smells that are in the air (the aroma of fresh brewed coffee) Sounds (traffic, honking horns) Sights ( “Two shining arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward” Touch (“The texture of the adobe hut’s walls resembled coarse sandpaper”) Taste: sweet, sour salty, bitter tart

Basic Components Continued 7. Syntax: Use a variety of sentence types and beginnings for effect (that is, to support your dominant impression). See handouts for examples.

Basic Components Continued 8. Figurative Language: Simile - using the words such as “like” or “as” to compare dissimilar things Metaphor: Implying comparisons Personification: Giving human characteristics to nonhuman things Overstatement or Hyperbole: Using figurative language in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect (“My clothes have failed me”) Understatement: Writing something the opposite to what is expected or says something less than expected (“Yesterday was a little cool. The high temperature was zero degrees.”) Sound words (Onomatopoeia): Using words that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions to which they refer. (Boom, pow, splat) Symbol: A person, place or thing that represents an abstract idea or concept. Example: a rock as a symbol of strength, a road as a spiritual journey.

Basic Components Continued 9. A Logical Conclusion: The conclusion may also have descriptive words, however, make certain the conclusion is logical and relevant. Create a lasting image for the reader.

Guiding Texts We will read and annotate several guiding texts prior to drafting your narrative.

Our Process We will write the essay in class step by step: Select your event Brainstorm descriptive details Group discussions Mentor/Example texts Body paragraphs, introductions and conclusions checked off/feedback in class

Important Dates Rough Draft Due Thursday, September 7th: Typed, MLA Format (we will discuss this process at a later date) Peer Edits Final Draft Due Friday, September 8th: Final Draft saved to Google Drive Final Draft uploaded to Turnitin.com(more details later)