1. Narrative Essay Assignment Counting Coup and The Whale Rider
Copy Each and Every Instruction
Narrative Essay Assignment Counting Coup and The Whale Rider

2. What is a personal narrative?
A personal narrative is a composition that describes a memorable experience in the life of the writer.
It also includes a thematic purpose.
The experience must be important and memorable.

3. Step One: Choosing a Topic
A lesson you’ve learned from an adult figure in your life…
About leadership
Your culture or family traditions
The importance of storytelling and family history
Narrate this experience from beginning to end.

4. Step Two: Formatting the Essay
Paragraph One: Briefly introduce the experience, people involved, and the lesson learned.
Paragraphs Two to Whatever…: Narrate the story from beginning to end. Give all necessary details. Include your emotional responses to events and why these events have stuck with you.
Final Paragraph: Restate what you learned from the experience and why it is important to you. Describe the impact it will have on the rest of your life.

5. Step Three: Audience For whom is this writing intended?
Who might read it?
Why are you passing this story on?
Always consider these questions during the writing process and adjust your writing appropriately.

6. Step Four: Skills to Consider
Strong Verbs (see following slide for guidelines)
Use Active Voice (Verbs)
Specific Nouns
Adjective/Noun Combos
Edit for Spelling, Mechanics, and Grammar errors (conventions)

7. Verb Usage
Objective: To choose the appropriate verb tense for a writing assignment.
The present tense is best for essays, editorials, and how-to articles since the writer’s concerns are about their present feelings or suggestions.
The past tense is often used in stories, narratives, or news reports because most are about events that have happened before.
The future tense is useful in articles where the writer makes a prediction or plea for action. It is most noticeable in interviews or editorials.

8. Step Five: Evaluation Rubic
Criteria: Based on 6 Traits of Writing
Significant Experience (5)
Content (5)
Descriptive Writing (10)
Organization (10)
Structure (5)
Thematic Purpose (5)
Grammar/Conventions (10)
50 points Total

9. Step Six: Final Thoughts
When is my composition due?
What do I need to complete my composition?
Is there a special format?
How should I begin?
When should I begin?
What should I use to help me if I get stuck?