Narration College Writing Skills with Readings

What is narration? Narration is writing that tells a story.

What is a narrative paragraph? Topic sentence –tells readers the point of the paragraph. ▫Supporting ideas – arranged in time order

What Makes a Good Story? A good story touches readers in some way.

What Makes a Good Story? A good story has substance.

What Makes a Good Story? A good story creates vivid imagery.

What Makes a Good Story? A good story is appropriate for your audience.

What Makes a Good Story? A good story is a story that you love to keep telling!

Modern Storytelling Blogs Television Film Books Comics Newspapers Magazines

Group Activities Questions 1 (#s 1-10 on pages ) in response to the student essays beginning on page 204 Questions 2 (#s 1-10 on pages ) in response to the professional essay beginning on page 214.

Questions 1 1.Possible thesis: My church’s “Sensitivity Sunday” introduced me to a few of the ordeals disabled people confront every day. 2.Thanks to a new building program… 3.Pine street had a lot of antique stores… 4.“A Night of Violence”: I hope my parents and I 5.a. My palms reddened and my wrist and forearm… b. the club thudded loudly 6.Victor, the biggest of us… 7.My view was blocked, the church’s aisles were narrow, strained my neck 8.Coping with the wheelchair; dealing with additional problems in the wheelchair 9.After, suddenly, when, as – transitions of time 10.Broad, general statement narrowing to a thesis

Questions 2 1.A possible way to restate the thesis: On a very simple level, the theme could be stated: Vingo returned from prison to find that his wife still loved him. 2.Possible topic sentence: The young people were curious about Vingo. 3.In the morning they awoke… 4.B. 5.Possible responses: He tells his story “slowly and painfully and with great hesitation.” He asks his wife to leave a signal. 6.Doesn’t express any self-pity about being in jail; owns up to his crime; offers his wife her freedom. 7.Place names: Fort Lauderdale, new Jersey, 34 th St. Terminal, Washington. Other Transitions: In the morning, After a while, And soon, Now. 8.But if she didn’t…. 9.He interviewed one of the young people on the bus. 10.He ends the story’s last event as experienced by the young people. Vingo’s welcome was joyous; the many yellow handkerchiefs leave no doubt about that. Hamill doesn’t tell about the welcome because the young people didn’t see Vingo walk into his house.