1. Reading an Interview Narrative
Springboard 1.9
Page 40

2. Learning Targets
I can analyze how the relationship between the writer, the target audience, and the writer’s purpose informs a writer’s choices.
I can analyze the intended effect of descriptive narrative on readers’ perspectives.

3. The Interview Narrative tells a story
An interview narrative contains the following elements:
PLOT: a sequence of events with a beginning, middle, and end
CHARACTERS: developed using various techniques of characterization (appearance, words, actions)
SETTING: time and place
CONFLICT: one or more challenges that may or may not be resolved
POINT OF VIEW: First Person (I, Me, My), Second Person (You, Your) or Third Person (He, She, They)
THEME: a main message or moral about life

4. WMDs by Brian O’Conner, Men’s Fitness
On page 40, write down several sentences describing Liddell’s physical appearance that you might include if you were the writer.

5. As You Read… In one color, highlight direct quotes.
In a second color, highlight details that would NOT likely appear in a transcript version. Look particularly for narrative details about:
How the subject acts (literal actions)
How the subject speaks (quickly, excitedly, slowly)
How the subject looks (relaxed, confident, calm)

6. After Reading:
Reread paragraph 2 and note where O’Connor has used parallel structure. Which examples are the least and most effective?
Also reread paragraph 8 to identify parallel structure. How does that help create style?

7. Homework: SOAPSTone SPEAKER – the voice
OCCASION – time, place, context
AUDIENCE – to whom is this directed?
PURPOSE – the reason for the text or what the author wants the audience to think as a result
SUBJECT – the focus
TONE – the speaker’s attitude towards the topic