Get out your literacy notebook and your Library book. In your Notes section in your writing composition: Write today’s date 9/15/11 and write INTRODUCTIONS (this should be your first entry in this section) Copy down the first 3 sentences that appear in your library book’s introduction. Beneath those sentences comment on the opening sentences of your book…does the author grab the readers attention? What do you like/dislike about the writing?

Modeling Narrative Step 1: Analyze the Prompt Prompt: Write a composition about a significant event in your life which you faced a major challenge and were able to overcome it.

Modeling Autobiographical Incident Step 2: Brainstorm events related to the prompt. Time I overcame a challenge Moving to a new school Trying out For cheerleader Parents Divorce - who do I live with Learning how To become A better math student

YOUR TURN Look at the circle map you created at the beginning of class, would any of these topics work for the promp? Brainstorm events related to the prompt. Time I Overcame A challenge

Grab a sticky note from your table… Write down your favorite soft drink ( don’t let your neighbor see )

On the back write down a unique soft drink that you think no one else in the class will think of.

Choosing a unique topic is critical!!!

Tree Map-Classifying Topic Scenes(3) Key People(4)Main Events(2) Lesson(1) -A maximum of 2 -You first-always-Listing the main events in -From this lesson/ Scenes -Any other key people order using phrases experience, I -Describe your scene -Each person has 3 words learned…. Using 3 adjectives and describing them 2 vivid verbs-appeal to -shift in emotions The five senses

Narrative Tree Map Step 3: Explore your memory for details. Parents Divorce Scenes My house (tense, lonely, Melancholy)

Modeling Autobiographical Incident Step 3: Explore your memory for details. Memorable Christmas Scenes Key People Me (depressed, Resentful, grateful) Dad (angry, Bitter, supportive) Mom ( devastated, Insightful, supportive)

Modeling Autobiographical Incident Step 3: Explore your memory for details. Parents Divorce Scenes Key People Main Events Parents constantly fighting Announce Divorce Have to choose mom or dad Reflect on Divorce & choice

Modeling Autobiographical Incident Step 3: Explore your memory for details. Parents Divorce Scenes Key People Main Events Lesson I learned from this experience that in life you may be faced with challenges that seem impossible to overcome, but these challenges can end up being blessings in disguise.

Modeling Autobiographical Incident Step 3: Explore your memory for details. Memorable Christmas Scenes My house (tense, lonely, Melancholy) Key People Me ( depressed, Resentful, grateful ) Dad ( angry, Bitter, supportive ) Main Events Announce Divorce Lesson I learned from this experience that in life you may be faced with challenges that seem impossible to overcome, but these challenges can end up being blessings in disguise. Parents constantly fighting Have to choose mom or dad Reflect on Divorce & choice Mom ( devastated, Insightful, supportive )

Modeling Autobiographical Incident Step 4: Orally rehearse your autobiographical narrative with another person.

Does anyone have a really awesome lead to share with the class? Who can remember the steps we discussed yesterday for how to respond to a prompt???

INTRODUCTION Step 5: Write an introduction. Include a grabber, some background information, and a hint of the topic. I was sitting silently in eighth period surrounded by friends; all eyes were on the clock in anticipation for the bell to ring. It was Friday and less than five minutes until the start of the weekend. In the life of a thirteen year old this should have been the best part of the day…for me though, it was the moment I had come to dread. As my classmate’s excitement grew, the knot in my stomach became harder to ignore because of the heart ache that I knew awaited me at home. Not even in my wildest dreams though could I have imagined the challenge I would soon face.

Let’s Get Introduced!

You never get a second chance to make a first impression!

The introduction of your essay is the most important part! The reader decides here if your paper is worth reading!

Let’s face it – we’ve all read essays like this:

Here’s some examples of what you DON’T want to do...

The “it” lead... “It was a beautiful day in Texas...” The “question” lead... “Have you ever had something difficult happen to you?” The “definition” lead... “Webster’s defines thoughtful as...” Not another BORING introduction! AAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!

Never fear! Effective introductions are here! There are several ways to create an introduction that immediately grabs your reader and creates connections.

Snapshot Create a picture in the reader’s mind.

Let’s try this one: “My worst memory was dinnertime.” B o r i n g !

How about... “The dinner table was bare except the stingy plates of dry meatloaf and runny mashed potatoes. No one had an appetite—especially me.” Better!

Ba-Da-Bing! Start with introducing someone’s thoughts or feelings.

Ba = feet Da = see Bing = think “As I stood on the edge of the roof, I looked down and whimpered, “I hope I don’t fall!” WOW!

Thoughtshot Begin your essay with a thought inside a character’s head.

“I couldn’t imagine why my father hollered for me at 7:00 in the morning! I thought fast about what I had done.” Interesting!

Ready...Set...Action! Begin with your main character doing something.

“Sally pushed away from the table, bolted out of the kitchen, and slammed the back door. She ran down the dock as quick as a lightening strike, hurrying toward the sound of her father’s voice.” What’s next?

Onomatopoeia Introduce your essay with a sound.

“Crack! The limb snapped underneath me. I felt the rush of air slip past my arms as I fell to the grass below.” Ouch!

LEADS SNAPSHOT LEADCreate a picture in the reader’s mind. The wind blew silently making the soft, green grass swerve back and forth. TALKING LEADStart with a character speaking. “Texas? What do you mean Texas?” I exclaimed furiously as if the world was ending. THOUGHTSHOT LEADStart with a thought inside a character’s head. I couldn’t imagine why my father was hollering for me at 7:00 in the morning. I thought fast about what I might have done. ACTION LEADStart with the main character doing something. I gulped my milk, pushed away from the table, and bolted out of the kitchen, slamming the screen door behind me. I ran down to the dock as fast as my legs would carry me. My feet pounded on the old wood, hurrying me toward the sound of my dad’s voice. ONOMATOPOEIA LEADStart with a sound. Bam! I smacked my head into the wall. BA DA BING LEAD Where were you? What did you see? What did you think? Standing in the kitchen, I stared at my sister’s broken finger, and I realized I was going to be grounded for life.

What do you think of these intros? “Noooooo,” I cried hopelessly laying on the soft blue and white comforter on the guestroom bed. One of the most difficult things I have done in my life was admitting to my parents that I broke something extremely valuable. The throbbing continued as tears poured down my cheeks. It was early Saturday morning, and I could hear birds chirping. “Slowly! Hold on tight,” Ms. Smith, my fifth grade teacher, yelled. It was the summer of third grade.

As the giant powdery clumps of snow fell down on my house, I felt as though I never wanted to go inside and leave that spot. I think riding a bike is one of the most difficult things you could do. Hello! My name is Sandy, and I am going to tell you about something difficult that happened to me one time. Sticky sweat dripped from the back of my neck and onto my navy blue pants. “I ruined it. I am never doing this again,” I thought to myself. Sweat leaked down my face as my hands shook.

“Christy, if you don’t do this, I am not going to be your friend anymore!” Sally exclaimed rudely. As I stared down at the slick rail, my eyes twitched. My job right now is to write a composition about something I did that I thought was difficult. As I glided over the water, a fierce wind blew in my face. Trudging slowly up the stairs, I dreaded the doom that awaited me just beyond my bedroom door. Have you ever accomplished a goal that you thought was impossible?

YOUR TURN Step 5: Write an introduction. Include a grabber, some background information, and a hint of the topic. Sitting silently in eighth period surrounded by friends; all eyes on the clock in anticipation for the bell to ring. It was Friday and less than five minutes until the start of the weekend. In the life of a thirteen year old this should have been the best part of the day…for me though, it was the moment I had come to dread. As my classmate’s excitement grew, the knot in my stomach became harder to ignore because of the heart ache that I knew awaited me at home. Not even in my wildest dreams though could I have imagined the challenge I would soon face.

AUTHOR’S CHAIR Lets listen to some strong introductions.