1. Revising your Flashback Narrative Story

2. Remember all the details that were included in the movie The Sandlot? Keep them in mind as you walk through the following exercises with your rough draft of your story…

3. Step 1 – How do you start your sentences? Many writers use this technique to help to vary up their sentence structure It is simple, yet effective First – go through your entire story and CIRCLE THE FIRST WORD IN EACH SENTENCE. Make a list on the last page of your story of each word (no matter how many times you have used it)

4. Step 2 – How many words are in each sentence? Again, a simple yet effective method for noticing changes that need to be made in your sentence structure Count the number of words in each sentence Label the # of the words in each sentence on your paper (out to the side or in the margins)

5. Step 3 – Is there a pattern to how you write your sentences? You may have noticed a problem in your writing… Do most of your sentences start with personal pronouns or the word The? If they do, then you have some changes to make in your sentences and how you have them structured. Go on to next step…

6. Step 4 – Making actual changes – here’s your formula Refer to the list in your writer’s notebook of words that you could start your sentences for ideas and suggestions that you can imitate in your writing Follow this rule for your paper: N2SSWTSW – No Two Sentences Start With The Same Word

7. Step 5 – How do I make changes in the number of words in each sentence? Working with a partner, discuss the difference between short and long sentences. What effect does a long sentence have while you are reading? What effect does a short sentence have while you are reading? Good writers, as you might notice in any of the novels you have been reading, vary between big number and short numbers in their sentence structure. This is a revision craft trick called varying sentence lengths. It is effective to have to not really have a predictable pattern--long, short, long, short, for example. But try to consciously vary the length of sentences, creating a balance of long and short.

8. Step 6 – More changes?? Go through the rubric (pink sheet of paper) It is made up of questions you can ask yourself about your writing Each section of the rubric is important and you need to make sure your paper meets the standards set out for you Including your spelling, capitalization and punctuation of sentences