Narrative Writing Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences. (W.5.3)

What is Narrative Writing? A narrative is a story containing specific elements that work together to create interest for the author and reader. This type of writing makes the reader feel as if he or she were part of the story, as if it was being told directly to him or her.

Elements of Narrative Writing Plot Setting Characterization Atmosphere Theme Point of View Conflict

Plot The sequence of events that take place in a story. The who, what, where, when, and how that gives the narrative direction. What is the story about? Events unfold as they happen. The frame of the story.

Plot Structure Beginning Enticing opening to capture readers’ interest. Setting revealed. Main characters introduced. Conflict presented. Middle Characters attempt to resolve conflicts or problems. Action progresses sequentially, step-by-step. Climax The turning point of the narrative. Reveals the process involved for solving conflicts.

Setting The time and place in which the events of a story take place. Allows the readers to visualize the scenes and the characters in those scenes. Although the setting may be clear for the author, he/she must create a metal picture for the readers.

Characterization The methods used to present the personality of a character in a narrative. Direct- the author describes the character. She was a large woman with a large purse. Indirect- the reader judges what the character is like based on what they say or do, or what the other characters say about them. I wish it would stop raining. I am tired of sitting inside! This shows us the character is not happy about the situation. Examples of Characterization by Personality Traits: http://examples.yourdictionary.com/reference/examples/examples-of-characterization.html

Atmosphere The general mood or feeling established in a piece of literature. Atmosphere is created through word choice and pacing. Word choice- the author uses words that make the reader feel a certain way. Example: A spooky atmosphere is created through words like “hideous”, “chilled”, and “nervous”. Pacing- the author controls the speed at which we read through sentence length, punctuation, and repetition of words.

Theme An idea or point that is central to a story, which can often be summed up in a single word. Example: love, death, betrayal, fear, etc. It may be indirect, leaving the reader to decide the story’s message. There can be more than one theme for a narrative.

Point of View Who is narrating the story? First Person- the narrator uses “I” to tell the action, and is involved in the story. I will never forget when my hamster died. Third Person- the story is told from someone outside the story. The characters are referred to by name, or as he, she, or they. Annemarie and Ellen walked to school together.

Conflict Internal: The conflict happens in a character’s mind. A character with a guilty conscience is an example of internal conflict. External: The conflict happens between characters or between a character and some outside force, like nature.

Internal Conflict Example: One month ago, Abby was assigned a book to read for a book report. Upon sitting at the computer to work on it, Abby struggled with the decision to do the reading or to surf the web instead. She felt guilty, knowing she should do the work, but was really motivated by her desire to look up new information about her favorite band.

External Conflict Example Abby and her best friend, Megan, are working together on a group project. Abby did not do any work, leaving it all for Megan to do. When the girls get together to do the project, Megan finds out Abby did not do any work. She becomes angry, yells at Abby, and storms out of the room.

What do good writers do? Answer the 5 W+H questions Use sensory imager Use figurative language Use dialogue Revise Edit

5 W+H Questions Answering the 5 W and H questions provides the basic info needed to begin a story. WHO will be in the narrative? WHERE will the narrative take place? WHY will the characters do what they do? WHAT is the story about? WHEN will the events happen? HOW will the conflict be resolved?

Sensory Imagery Using the five senses when writing a narrative helps the reader picture and feel what is going on. Describe what you SEE HEAR TASTE TOUCH SMELL

Figurative Language SIMILIES A simile is a comparison between two unlike things, using like or as. Her smile was so wide it looked like a piano keyboard. He was as sick as a dog.

Figurative Language METAPHOR A metaphor directly compares two unlike things without using like or as. The boy was a golden knight, protecting his little sister from the fire-breathing dragon that lives in the sandbox.

Figurative Language PERSONIFICATION Personification assigns human characteristics and traits to non-human objects. The pencil fought furiously with the eraser, battling over question number three.

Figurative Language HYPERBOLE Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration to describe something that could never happen in real life. The teacher’s voice was so loud the astronauts orbiting Earth could hear her lecture.

Figurative Language ONOMATOPOEIA Onomatopoeia is a word that imitates a sound. Her heels clacked on the hardwood floor.

Dialogue Dialogue is the conversation between two or more characters in a narrative. Dialogue uses quotations to set off who is speaking. “You’re like the kitten in the litter that wakes up before all the others. "Dad opened one eye and looked at me. I leaned in and licked his nose. “Argh! I thought you were going to give me a kiss on the cheek!” he said.

Revise Think ARMS! Add: - sentences - words Remove: -unneeded words/sentences Move: Change a sentence or word placement Substitute: trade words or sentences for others

Edit Think CUPS! Capitalization: names, places, months, titles, I Usage: match nouns/verbs correctly Punctuation: Periods, quotes, commas, question marks, exclamation points Spelling: Check all words; use dictionary if needed.

Writing Checklist: Narrative The writer established a setting or situation for her narrative The writer introduced a narrator and/or characters. The writer organized the narrative into a sequence of unfolding events. The writer used dialogue and description to develop events to show how characters respond to them. The writer used transitional words to show the sequence of events. The writer used concrete words and phrases and sensory details to describe events. The writer wrote a conclusion to the events in the narrative. The writer reviewed her writing for good grammar. The writer reviewed her writing for capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

Lesson 1: Generating Ideas Writers develop their ideas with descriptive details. These details help readers picture the characters, setting, and plot events clearly. Read the passage from “A Fresh Idea” on page 30 in Reading/Writing Workshop below to identify descriptive details.

Journal Entry 1 Describe a moment when you helped someone get something he or she needed. Use descriptive details.

Journal Entry 2 Tell about a time when someone helped you. Include descriptive details about the experience.

Lesson 2: Using strong words Writers choose strong words that grab the reader’s interest and create a clear picture in the reader’s mind. Read the paragraph from “A Life in the Woods” on page 58 in your Reading/Writing Workshop. Identify strong words.

Journal Entry 1 Tell about a time you or someone you know had an experience with nature. Use strong words to help readers picture the experiences.

Journal Entry 2 Tell about a time when you saw something beautiful, such as a vivid sunset, a rainbow, or a majestic mountain. Include strong words and phrases to describe the experience.

Lesson 3: Writers organize their writing Writers often organize texts to help readers understand important event sin a logical order. This is called sequence. Signal words such as when, during, and after, and phrases such as in 1977 help the reader understand the order in which events happened. Read the excerpt on page 72 and identify the signal words used.

Journal Entry 1 Describe an important event in the life of someone you know using signal words.

Journal Entry 2 Tell how someone you know prepared for an important event, such as an athletic event or a musical performance. Then tell how it turned out. Put the events in sequence.

Lesson 4: Writers vary sentence structure An article that uses the same kind of sentence repeatedly can cause a reader to lose interest. Writers vary their sentence structure, or the lengths and types of sentences, to give the writing better flow and rhythm. Read these sections from “Tuned Out” on pages 86-87 to see how the author varies sentences.

Journal Entry 1 What changes would you like to see in your school or community? Convince others to support your opinion. Be sure to vary your sentence structure.

Journal Entry 2 Write an article convincing others to collect clothing or food for a local charity. Be sure to vary your sentence structure.

Responding to a Prompt You will often encounter narrative writing prompts that instruct you to respond directly to a text you have read. The text may be fictional or informational.

Steps to responding to a prompt: Read the passage Read and analyze the prompt What form of writing does the prompt ask for? How can you tell? What is the purpose of the assignment? What information do I need to complete the task? 3. Plan the writing using a graphic organizer. The writing prompt asks me to…. I need to be sure that I… I need to tell my story using… I will record my events in the chart.

Practice Read the passage “Jeremy’s Big Catch” Read the prompt Rewrite the story form Dad’s point of view. Be sure to include his thoughts and feelings about the events and other characters. Use details from “Jeremy’s Big Catch” in your new story.

Practice Analyze the prompt: What form of writing does the prompt ask for? How can you tell? What is the purpose of the assignment? What information do I need to complete the task?

Practice Plan the writing The writing prompt asks me to rewrite the story “Jeremy’s Big Catch from Dad’s point of view. I need to be sure that I tell what Dad thinks and how he feels. I need to tell my story using the pronouns I and We. I will record my events in the chart.

Practice Major Events