1. Personal Narrative Tips and Techniques

2. FOCUS  Narrative effect is the main story, moral, or message offered.  Ask, “Why am I telling this story?” or “Why should someone be interested in my experience?”  Will the point be EXPLICIT or IMPLICIT?

3. DEVELOPMENT  Details add depth and color to the story.  Scene method – very detailed, evocative description to immerse the reader in the situation.  Use SCENE method for one or two key areas of the story.  Summary method used to fill in the rest of the story with a brief synopsis.

4. ORGANIZATION AND COHERENCE  Three basic parts – orientation, complication, and time structure.  Orientation establishes setting, characters, & other essential elements.  Complication involves rising conflict that leads to the climax – point of highest action.  Resolution conflict resolved and narrative effect is revealed or suggested.

5. O & C cont’d  Time Structure – chronological or psychological.  Chronological – events described in order.  Psychological – events described according to connections between them…for example a memory.  Flashback and flash forward (show possible outcomes)

6. STYLE  Style engages the reader.  Details should give a dominant impression of event – fear, anxiety, confidence, guilt, surprise, etc.  Language – use CONCRETE NOUNS and ACTIVE VERBS – unload forms of BE and passive voice.  Sensory language – taste, smell, sight, touch, hear the scene.

7. STYLE cont’d  Metaphors and similes help reveal the narrative effect  He was tall versus He was as tall as a mountain.  She was beautiful versus She was a fresh flower among the dried up weeds.

8. Point of View  Generally use first person (I, me, my, we, us, our), but third person can work.  Objective view leaves out the author’s feelings.  Subjective view emphasizes the author’s feelings toward a subject.  Use both!

9. ARTISTIC LICENSE  Beware the exaggeration for effect! Gone awry, exaggeration will damage credibility.  Personal narrative is an academic essay, not fiction!  Adapted from Tacoma Community College Writing Center.

10. What’s My Job?  Bring in a COMPLETE personal narrative draft on Thursday, September 5.  No more than 500 words.  Double spaced, typed.  Be prepared to share your draft in class.