1. Narrative Articles Things we’re going to learn about:
Introduction to Narrative Articles
Effective Narrative Articles
Show, Don’t Just Tell
Sensory Details, Dialogue, Transitions

2. Introduction to Narrative Article
Have you ever heard of the TV show called CSI – Crime Scene Investigators? What is the show about?
Investigators look at clues and evidence and “work backwards” to figure out what happened at the murder scene.
In this lesson we will be PSI – Prompt Scene Investigators.
Objective: We will read through a piece of On-Demand writing, look for clues and evidence, and “work backwards” to see if you can determine the original prompt and figure out the WWF.

4. Prompt Scene Investigators
W – WHO’s the audience for this piece
W – WHAT’s the topic or purpose
F – FORM (Letter or article)
Why is doing the W-W-F important for On-Demand writing? How does it help you?
I will now model the “investigative process”
I will use the PSI: Form 1 to assist me.

8. Prompt Scene Investigators

9. Prompt Scene Investigators
Now it’s time for you to be a Prompt Scene Investigator!!!
1) You and a partner will look at another piece entitled “Good Friend Contest”
2) Read the piece together.
3) Work backwards using the evidence you collected to figure out:
W-W-F
Respond to the questions on your PSI: Form 1

12. Prompt Scene Investigators
Lets compare results of your findings Investigators!
What’s the W-W-F?
What answers did you put on your PSI: Form 1?

13. On-Demand Writing
The On-Demand test at the end of the year could require three possible tasks:

14. On-Demand Writing
In the “Responsibilities” prompt, the task is to inform.
What word in the Task part means “to inform”?
Tell…is the key word!
In the “Good Friends” prompt, the task is to narrate an event.
What phrase in the Task part means “to narrate an event”?
Tell about an event…

15. Investigating an Effective Narrative Article
Objective: Understand strategies for developing a narrative article.
Let’s read “Good Friends” article #2.
Is the purpose, audience, and form clear in this article?
Yes! BUT - not as clear as in Good Friends Final draft article!!!
WHY? Because…
1) The intro & conclusion are effective.
2) They have one focused event, which is what the prompt requires.
3) But #2 is less effective because it’s not developed!

16. Investigating an Effective Narrative Article
Now it’s time to be Prompt Scene Investigators again!
You will use the PSI: Form 2 – “How Does the Writer Develop the Narrative?”
With a partner, answer the questions on this form.
Use “Good Friend Contest” article #1.
Make sure you BACK-UP your answers with examples from the article!
Be ready to review and discuss your results.

18. Writers Just Don’t Tell, They Show
Objective: Learn how to show, don’t tell when showing emotions, and describing places or things.
What do you already know about “show, not tell”?
Writers use words to show, not tell in a variety of ways. You can show action, things (places or objects), and emotions.
You’re going to learn how to show these three ways (using words):
Action
Things (places or objects)
Emotions

19. Writers Just Don’t Tell, They Show
How Writers Show Actions
This is an excerpt from the book Miss Nelson is Missing
“The kids in Room 207 were misbehaving badly.”
This sentences, the writer simply tells the reader what the class is doing. Although misbehaving gives the reader clues, it doesn’t show specifically what’s the class doing.
NOW listen how the next part of the story shows the action!

20. Writers Just Don’t Tell, They Show
How did the writer do it?
What was the author’s trick for showing the action?
By using specific details, strong verbs (action words), and specific nouns (objects) that help the reader VISUALIZE the action!
You’re going to practice showing action!

21. Writers Just Don’t Tell, They Show
Choose one of the following sentences:
The two-year old was having a temper tantrum.
The guy couldn’t dance very well.
The basketball player was having a great game.
Add more to the sentence that SHOW the action!
Be ready to share.
Mr. Rogers’ example:
“The two-year old was having a temper tantrum. The boy was on the floor kicking and screaming his arms and legs. His face was turning red from yelling so much. Tears poured out of his eyes like a water fountain. Snot oozed out from his nose down his face.”

22. Writers Just Don’t Tell, They Show
How Writers Show Place/Thing
This is an excerpt from the book Maniac McGee.
This sentence is about a messy kitchen. The author could’ve just said, “It was a messy kitchen” but didn’t!
How does the author help the reader visualize the kitchen?
Lots of good strong verbs, precise nouns, and description.

23. Writers Just Don’t Tell, They Show
Quick practice on “Show, not Tell”
Choose one of the following Place/Thing.
Write a brief description and paint a
picture for the reader.
Mr. Rogers’ example:
The scary mask had knife sharp fangs protruding from its’ twisted smiling lips. The eyes were large and foggy white. The mask had greenish wrinkled skin that was bumpy and jagged. Jet black hair scattered everywhere. It had a large nose that slumped downward.

24. Writers Just Don’t Tell, They Show
How Writers Show Emotion
There are other ways a writer can show emotion, such as through what the person thinks (thoughts) and what the person says (dialogue).
You are about to look at some pictures. Practice showing “emotion” not just telling!
Think about what might be happening in the picture and what the characters might be feeling.
Show their emotion by explaining their body language, thoughts, and dialogue.

27. Using Sensory Detail Objective: Apply sensory detail in writing.
What are sensory details? Words or phrases that describe:
touch, taste, smell, hear, see.
We’re going to look at a few excerpts and find the sensory details.
Be able to tell me which of the 5 senses does is it showing?

28. Why do you think writers use sensory details?
Using Sensory Detail
Why do you think writers use sensory details?
To make the writing more interesting.
To make the story come alive for the reader.
To show not just tell.

29. Using Sensory Detail Now it’s time for you to practice using
Sensory Details.
Choose one of the prompts:
Be prepared to share.