Personal Narrative Notes, Topics, and Requirements

Personal Narratives… 0 Are short stories 0 Focus on a specific memory or event 0 For example, you might write about a specific vacation, but not your whole summer break 0 Include descriptive writing and sensory details 0 Have a reflective component 0 Why was this important? Why did it matter to you? What lasting impact did it have?

Being Unprepared 0 Think of a specific time that you felt unprepared for a specific event and narrate the events. Tell your readers about the preparation that you were able to do, the reasons that you didn't get to prepare as well as you wanted, following through with the event, and any significant events that happened afterward. Your paper should help readers understand what it felt like to be unprepared.

Lightbulb Moment 0 Think of an experience when you realized that you suddenly understood an idea, a skill, or a concept you had been struggling with--it might be something related to a class that you took or a specific athletic skill you were trying to perfect. Write a narrative that tells the story of your movement toward understanding. How did you finally come to understand? What changed your perceptions and gave you a new understanding? Your paper should help readers understand how you felt to struggle with the idea or skill and then to understand.

Childhood Event 0 Choose a vivid time from your childhood--You might think of the first time that you rode a school bus, of a time when you went to the principal's office, the first A you earned on a test or paper, earning money to buy something that you really wanted, and so on. Narrate the events related to the childhood memory that you've chosen so that your readers will understand why the event was important and memorable.

Achieving a Goal 0 Think of a time when you achieved a personal goal-- you might have finally completed a marathon or you might have bettered your grade in a difficult class. Tell your readers about the story of how you met your goal. Be sure that your readers understand why the goal is important to you.

Dealing with Change 0 Think of a time when you dealt with a major life change. It might have been moving to a new state, changing schools, or having your parents go through a divorce. Describe to your readers what this experience was like for you. How did you deal with these events? What was life like after this change?

Personal Narrative 0 Requirements: 0 Minimum of 5 paragraphs 0 Neatly written in pen, or typed 0 include adequate details about the events in the story 0 use a clear organizational structure, including transitions, an introduction and a conclusion 0 use effective and appropriate diction 0 Choose a topic from the options given (Being Unprepared, Lightbulb Moment, Childhood Event, Achieving a Goal, Dealing with Change). 0 Due tomorrow at the end of the period