Post on 19-Nov-2014
transcript
Lesson 13Introduction to the
Narrative Essay
Writer’s Prompt:
After years of leading a normal life, you discover
you have a special ability. Afraid to share this
information with anyone, you finally confide your
secret to your closest friend. To your surprise, your
friend shares some information with you—he also has a super power!
Assignments
►Narrative Essay Due Dates►Read Raymond Carver’s “My Father’s
Life,” Page 81 in Great Writing (Meaning) #3 (Language) #2
The Narrative Essay
►Double spaced►11 point Arial►1.5 to 2 pages►See topic suggestions
Assignment Review
►What is a narrative?►Why did the narrator of “Buck Fever”
quit hunting deer?
The Narrative Essay
What is a Narrative Essay?
► It’s a story – it can be real or imagined
► It connects us to other people► It can:
raise a question► What is truth? ► What would you do in this situation?► How can you make a difference?
What is a Narrative Essay?
provide an insight► We each have something in common one
with another► Sometimes it pays to be nice
offer a moral.► The root of evil is the love of money► Tell the truth► Don’t steal.
What is a Narrative Essay?
offer a challenge.► Change the world► Help others now► Feed the hungry
provide a mirror for our own lives► This sounds like me► I can relate to what the protagonist is going
through
What is a Narrative Essay?
►A narrative is a story►A narrative essay is a story that has a
specific point A narrative essay strives to teach a lesson or A narrative essay strives to make a specific
point A narrative essay is not a diary entry – the
story is linked to the purpose of the essay
How is the Narrative Essay written?►Often written in 1st person – “I or we” –
because it is based on a personal story►Can also be written in 3rd person (“they”)►Can never be written in 2nd person (you)►Has specific sensory details to get the
reader hooked on the story► Is usually developed in chronological order►Uses specific verbs to help paint a picture
and draw in the reader
Time Order
►Most narratives are written chronologically – this happened, then this, then this…
►Can be written “medias res” – in the midst of things – where readers find themselves in the heat of an event
►Flashbacks are used by skillful writers – may confuse the reader – not recommended for beginning writers
Kinds of NarrativesThe Narrative Summary
►Covers large segment of time►Writers of history, memoirs, biography
use this►Raymond Carver uses it in “My
Father’s Life”
Kinds of NarrativesThe Narrative Moment
►Covers a limited time frame►All details are explored for an intense,
comprehensive view of a flash of time
What Else Does the Narrative Essay Need?
►Since it is a story, the narrative essay needs everything a story needs (story elements) plot characters a problem a climax dialogue setting
►And it has a “Narrative Structure”
Narrative Structure or Plot Line
Resolution
Introduction
Climax
RisingAction
FallingAction
The Story of a Life in Stop Motion
“Death Calls at Dinner”
Listen for the narrative elements.
Identify some of the narrative elements of
“Death…”►Setting►Characters►Dialogue►Plot►Climax►Moral►Point of view
“Small Town Terror”
Read the essay “Small Town Terror” and be prepared to
explain the different elements which make this a narrative
essay.
Describe the narrative elements of “Small-Town Terror”
►Story?►Fiction of fact?►Does it have a point of view?►Moral? Insight? Question? Challenge?
Let’s write a story together…
Class was over and I was just entering the hallway when it happened.
Now, tell me a story.
►Tell the story about the first time you went to the movies without your parents
►Tell the story about the first time you drove a car.
►Tell the one about the worst trouble you ever got into.
►Tell the one about your first day of ninth grade (“That was me in grade 9”)
What elements did it have?
►Story?►Fiction of fact?►Does it have a point of view?►Moral? Insight? Question? Challenge?