Unit 1: Narrative Flash Narrative: Let’s look at message, spelling, and punctuation… Ingredients for a stellar story!

So what’s the story? It has been told that Ernest Hemingway was challenged by a close friend to write a narrative in under ten words. Hemingway got it down to six.

For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn. Ernest Hemingway For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn.

Ernest Hemingway On your notebook paper, please write a short evaluation of this sentence. In your words, what does this story mean??

I’m forever searching, and forever finding. Other Examples -Ashley Betteridge I’m forever searching, and forever finding.

Other Examples Shelby Moran It is just about the end.

Other Examples Michelle Bourgeois

Other Examples Lori Abrahams

Stories are living in these gadgets. Other Examples Stories are living in these gadgets. Ann Oro

Your Challenge Now it’s your turn! Take some time to write several six word narratives in your journal. If you only had six words to get a message across to someone, what would you write? We will take a vote on the five best narratives to send in to “Narrative” if you win, you could receive $50. Good luck!

For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn. Guidelines A Six-Word Story should provide a movement of conflict, action, and resolution that gives the sense of a complete story transpiring in a moment’s reading. Take a look at Hemingway again, what can you infer from only six words? For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn.

Partner Share Share your six word narratives with your partner. Decide which one you are going to use for your presentation.

Editing and Revising Editing and revising are an important part of the writing process that we will be using this year. Why is proofreading your work important? Check out some of the embarrassing mistakes that could have been prevented on the next slides if someone had only taken a moment to proofread their work.

Editing and Revising Word Choice- What is wrong with these two pictures? Have you made sure to say exactly what you want to say? Double check!

Editing and Revising Punctuation- Punctuation can change the meaning of a statement when done incorrectly. Can you point out the mistakes in the two pictures?

Editing and Revising Punctuation- Punctuation can change the meaning of a statement when done incorrectly. Can you point out the mistakes in the two pictures?

Editing and Revising Uh oh!! Here’s a real-life example: Say ‘NO’ to Drugs from the NMB Police D.A.R.E Officers. Oops! That one missing comma turned police officers into drug dealers.

Editing and Revising Woman without her man is nothing. It can make a big difference! A professor wrote the following sentence on the board and asked his class to punctuate it: Woman without her man is nothing.

Editing and Revising Woman: without her, man is nothing. It can make a big difference! Half of the class punctuated the sentence in the following way: Woman: without her, man is nothing. The other half of the class responded with the following: Woman, without her man, is nothing. It's clear, from this example, that punctuation is very important indeed

Editing and Revising Spelling- Use a spelling dictionary if you are unsure how to spell something or ask your partner. Also, homophones can be tricky at times. Discuss the mistakes in the following pictures.

Final Draft Write the final draft of you six word narrative on a 3x5 card. Write your name, the period, and the date on the back.

Sources Submitting the best Narratives http://www.narrativemagazine.com/sixwords http://www.oxbridgeediting.co.uk/blog/the-funny-grammar-guide-to-why-proofreading-is-essential-696/ http://bengrey.wikispaces.com/6+Word+Story+Project