Is an interesting story about the writer.Is an interesting story about the writer. Is written in the first person (using the pronouns I, me, and my.Is written in the first person (using the pronouns I, me, and my. Has a beginning, a middle, and an end.Has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Presents events in a clear order.Presents events in a clear order. Uses details to help readers see people, places, and events.Uses details to help readers see people, places, and events. Shows how the writer feels about the experience and why it is meaningful to him or her.Shows how the writer feels about the experience and why it is meaningful to him or her.

The personal narrative tells about A good timeA good time A bad timeA bad time An important timeAn important time A memorable eventA memorable event A first timeA first time A last timeA last time List one or more topics for each category on your handout.

Take a few minutes and write without stopping.Take a few minutes and write without stopping. Write about where the story takes place. Close your eyes and recall the place in your narrative. What do you see? Hear? Feel?Write about where the story takes place. Close your eyes and recall the place in your narrative. What do you see? Hear? Feel? Write about the people who will be in your narrative. Think about the way each one looks, acts, and speaks. Conversation or dialogue is a good way to draw your readers into the action.Write about the people who will be in your narrative. Think about the way each one looks, acts, and speaks. Conversation or dialogue is a good way to draw your readers into the action. List the main events of the narrative along a timeline.List the main events of the narrative along a timeline.

Give a startling fact- surprise the reader with a true statement.Give a startling fact- surprise the reader with a true statement. Describe the setting- use details to describe where the story takes place.Describe the setting- use details to describe where the story takes place. Use a sound- describe the sounds heard by the main character.Use a sound- describe the sounds heard by the main character. Begin with a Dialogue- begin with conversation between at least two of the main characters.Begin with a Dialogue- begin with conversation between at least two of the main characters. Start with a Question- begin by asking the reader a question.Start with a Question- begin by asking the reader a question.

Supporting Paragraphs Always begin with a topic sentence. Use specific details that support the topic sentence. Use sensory words (words that appeal to the five senses) to keep the reader’s attention.Always begin with a topic sentence. Use specific details that support the topic sentence. Use sensory words (words that appeal to the five senses) to keep the reader’s attention. Wrap up the paragraph with a concluding or transitioning sentence.Wrap up the paragraph with a concluding or transitioning sentence. Remember to develop a minimum of 3 supporting paragraphs.Remember to develop a minimum of 3 supporting paragraphs.

Use transitions to guide your readers through your story!! FirstFirst NextNext LaterLater FinallyFinally More importantMore important Most of allMost of all Last but not leastLast but not least Therefore Because As a result Consequently Since For So

SimilarlySimilarly In contrastIn contrast UnlikeUnlike On the other handOn the other hand NeverthelessNevertheless In the same wayIn the same way Such as For example In other words Along with For instance Like

Conclusion Advise the reader- offer the reader advice related to the story.Advise the reader- offer the reader advice related to the story. Reword the beginning- tell the reader the important information that was also in the beginning.Reword the beginning- tell the reader the important information that was also in the beginning. End with a Quote- Quote an important character in the story or another person who gave good advice.End with a Quote- Quote an important character in the story or another person who gave good advice. End with a Feeling-Tell or show the reader how the main character feels.End with a Feeling-Tell or show the reader how the main character feels. End with a Question- Ask the reader to think about a question.End with a Question- Ask the reader to think about a question.

Read your paper aloud to yourself or a partner. Did the introduction capture you or your partner’s attention?.Read your paper aloud to yourself or a partner. Did the introduction capture you or your partner’s attention?. Is the order of events clear? Did I include transitions?Is the order of events clear? Did I include transitions? Do I use details that appeal to the five senses?Do I use details that appeal to the five senses? Is the conclusion an end to the narrative?Is the conclusion an end to the narrative? Do I have at least five paragraphs?Do I have at least five paragraphs?