1. How to Write a Winning Reflective Narrative Essay in 30 Minutes Palmetto Middle School ACTion for 6 th Grade Writing- Timed Reflective Narrative

2. Format & Directions  Know the type of writing being assigned  Grades 6– Reflective Narrative  Know how it is being scored  Grade 6- graded on a 6-point rubric  Make sure you have a full body with an introduction and conclusion.

3. Personal Narratives Expectations  Focus on an event from your life.  Write it the same way you would tell it to someone.  Start with a catchy lead.  Use details to tell who, what, when, where, and why.  Have a beginning, middle, and end.  Describe people, places, and things  Use transition words.  Spelling and punctuation matters.  Reread It! Would it make sense to someone else?

4. Four-Step Method StepAn Upper-level EssayA Lower-level Essay PromptClearly developed an idea that is on topic Does not clearly state an idea on topic Plan (4 minutes) Supports with concrete, detailed examples Is general or repetitious Produce (22 minutes) Maintains clear focus and organization Digresses or has weak organization Proofread (4 minutes) Shows competent use of languageContains errors that reduce clarity

5. Four-Step Method Step 1: Prompt  There is no right or wrong answer to the essay. Just think about your ideas and a story to use to show it.  Know what is being asked.  The MOST important thing is to write ON TOPIC.

6. Four-Step Method Step 2: Plan  Take 4 minutes to complete your Graphic Organizer/Thinking Map to plan for your essay response.  What is being asked in the prompt?  Begin with an opening or sentence grabber that HOOKS the reader.  Refresh your memory about favorite books, school subjects, historical events, personal experiences, etc. so that you can use them as examples in your essays.

7. Hook, Line & Sinker! Hook:  Start your narrative with a (statement) lead about your story that catches the reader’s attention. Line:  Once you have quickly thought about the story, put your story in order (beginning, middle, end)  Use dialogue in your story.  Use “I” to tell the story since you are the main character. Sinker:  The Moral of the Story: - What lesson did you learn? How has what happened to you affected your life now?  Sink the essay by having a strong conclusion that ends with a BANG! Reflect upon the lesson you learned.  Don’t introduce new ideas.

8. Memorable Endings… A memorable ending is the LAST few sentences of your story. These sentences should tell the reader the lesson you learned or how your life changes because of what happened in the story.  I will never forget ____ because _____.  The lesson I learned _______.  The next time _______.  Now I know _________.  Be careful when _________.

9. Four-Step Method Step 3: Produce  Be sure to write enough to cover the subject (22 minutes)  I- Introduction  N- Name 3 facts  F- Facts require supporting details  O- Offer a conclusion

10. Four-Step Method Step 4: Proofread  Leave yourself at least 4 minutes to review your work.  Look at:  Capitalization  Word usage  Spelling  Indenting

11. Appearances Count  Write neatly using indentions for each new paragraph.  Stick with the plan. Don’t introduce new ideas other than the ones you have on your graphic organizer.  Write carefully. Low scores can result from misspelling and grammatical errors.  Stay on task!  Use transitions to move your writing along.

12. Strong Essay! A Strong Essay follows these three simple rules:  Say what you are going to say (introduction)  Say it (3 reasons)  Say what you just said (conclusion)

13. Four-Step Method Recap StepAn Upper-level EssayA Lower-level Essay PromptClearly developed an idea that is on topic Does not clearly state an idea on topic Plan (4 minutes) Supports with concrete, detailed examples Is general or repetitious Produce (22 minutes) Maintains clear focus and organization Digresses or has weak organization Proofread (4 minutes) Shows competent use of languageContains errors that reduce clarity