7 th Grade English

* A fictional narrative is a made-up story composed of characters, setting, and events. * These may be based on reality or may be complete fantasy. * Stories are usually told in first person or in third person. * Third-person narrators are not usually part of the story.

* Introduction * Grabs the interest of the reader * Introduces main character or characters * Establishes narrator * Establishes setting (both time and place)

* Plot/Conflict * Show your main character facing a problem or conflict * Develop the plot around it, using a logical sequence * Create a sense of rising tension

* Climax * Make this part of the story suspenseful and exciting. * Tell how your character finally solves the conflict.

* Conclusion * Show what happens after the climax. * Wrap up the story in a way that makes sense.

* The first step in writing a fictional narrative is to brainstorm ideas. * Begin by listing several ideas for characters, setting, and plot. * Think about an interesting conflict and how it might be solved.

Possible CharactersPossible SettingPossible Plot/Conflict Charlie, a young man A large farmBreaks his leg in an accident A girl, SusannaOptometrist’s officeDoesn’t want to wear glasses Juanita, a young woman School cafeteriaDrops her lunch tray on the feet of a school bully

* Writing Assignment: * In the story “It’s a Beautiful World,” Susanna gets glasses for the first time, and this literally changes the way she sees the world. Write a fictional narrative that focuses on a character who goes through a similarly important change in his or her life. In your narrative, be sure to demonstrate how this change affects the way he or she thinks about the world and also how events often turn out different than the character expects.

* You can use a graphic organizer to help brainstorm ideas and details for the topic of your fictional narrative.

Main Character: Susanna Setting: Optometri st’s Office Plot/Conflic t: Susanna does not think she needs glasses Detail: Dark brown ponytail Detail: angry, upset, nervous Detail: rude to mother Detail: Dark brown ponytail Detail: angry, upset, nervous Detail: rude to mother Detail: Pale pink waiting room Detail: soft music playing Detail: peaceful water fountain Detail: Pale pink waiting room Detail: soft music playing Detail: peaceful water fountain Detail: argues with mother Detail: takes eye exam, realizes she can’t see very well Detail: stomps out of office Detail: argues with mother Detail: takes eye exam, realizes she can’t see very well Detail: stomps out of office

* You can use a more detailed graphic organizer to help develop the plot sequence and details that you thought of during brainstorming. * You can then refer to this graphic organizer as you work through the different parts of your draft.

Fictional Narrative Organizer Introduction Starts with dialogue showing conflict Main character: Susanna Setting: Optometrist’s office Problem: Susanna protests that she doesn’t need glasses Plot/Conflict Susanna kicks her backpack in anger Dr. Kendall meets Susanna and begins testing her. Dr. Kendall records notes about tests. Climax Dr. Kendall prescribes glasses. Susanna is angry because she has to wear glasses. Susanna stomps out of the office Conclusion Susanna gets glasses, which improve her vision. Susanna sees a lot of new things. Susanna admits that she should have gotten glasses sooner.

* Now it is time to write the first draft of your fictional narrative. * Your narrative does not need to be perfect. * Use your notes and get your ideas down in an organized way.

* When creating the plot and main character of a story, you can use dialogue, or the words of the characters to show what they are like and to move the action forward. * You can also use transition words and phrases, such as before, then, or the next day, to clarify the sequence of events.

“What are you so annoyed about?” Susanna’s mother asked. “Annoyed!” Susanna screeched, tugging at her dark brown ponytail. “Enraged is more like it. I am perfectly capable of reading my schoolbooks, I have no problem seeing the computer monitor, and my grades are above average! So what if the writing on the board looks a little fuzzy to me? Who cares?”

* The writer of the mentor text uses a transition phrase in this sentence from paragraph 13 to indicate the passage of time since the climax. * When Susanna got her new glasses a week later, she was astonished.

* Grab your reader’s attention by using an interesting detail or dialogue. * Develop the plot, creating a sense of rising action or tension. Include a climax, or turning point, that leads to a solution. * Organize the events in a logical order. * Use transition words and phrases to clarify sequence and make your writing flow more smoothly. * Explain what happens after the problem is solved. * Include descriptive details and dialogue.

* Does my introduction grab my reader’s interest? Do I set the scene and introduce the characters effectively? * Do I establish the plot and conflict and develop the climax with rising action? * Do I use descriptive details and dialogue to help my story come alive? * Do I have a well-structured sequence of events that moves the story forward, and do I use transition words and phrases to connect ideas and events? * Do I have a strong conclusion that resolves the conflict in the story?

* Did I indent each paragraph? * Are all of my sentences complete, with a subject and verb? * Does each sentence end with the correct punctuation? * Have I used commas, colons, and semi-colons correctly? * Are all of my words spelled correctly?