+ All Categories
Transcript
Page 1: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

The Narrative Essay:A story with a thesis…The Narrative Essay:A story with a thesis…

Page 2: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

What is a Narrative Essay?What is a Narrative Essay?

A narrative is a story

A narrative essay is a story that has a specific pointA 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

A narrative is a story

A narrative essay is a story that has a specific pointA 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

Page 3: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

What Should Be Included in a Narrative Essay?What Should Be Included in a Narrative Essay?

Often written in 1st person – I or we – because it is based on a personal story

Can also be written in 3rd personHas specific sensory details to get the

reader hooked on the story Is developed in chronological orderHas verbs that help paint a picture and

draw in the reader (5 senses- touch, smell, taste, feel and hear)

Often written in 1st person – I or we – because it is based on a personal story

Can also be written in 3rd personHas specific sensory details to get the

reader hooked on the story Is developed in chronological orderHas verbs that help paint a picture and

draw in the reader (5 senses- touch, smell, taste, feel and hear)

Page 4: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

What Else Does the Narrative Essay Need?What Else Does the Narrative Essay Need?

Since this is a story, the narrative essay needs everything a story needs (these are known as the story elements):Has a plot (beginning/middle and end)Has charactersHas a problemHas a climaxCan use dialogue

Since this is a story, the narrative essay needs everything a story needs (these are known as the story elements):Has a plot (beginning/middle and end)Has charactersHas a problemHas a climaxCan use dialogue

Page 5: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

Planning the Narrative EssayPlanning the Narrative Essay

Write a thesis statement, just as with any other essay

Brainstorm for a personal story/event that illustrates or proves the thesis statement

Outline or web the important parts of the story to be told

Write an introductory paragraph that suggests some hints about your thesis statement, and then write the story

Because this is a story, use as many paragraphs as necessary to tell the story

Write the conclusion that reflects on the thesis statement and states your thesis statement

Write a thesis statement, just as with any other essay

Brainstorm for a personal story/event that illustrates or proves the thesis statement

Outline or web the important parts of the story to be told

Write an introductory paragraph that suggests some hints about your thesis statement, and then write the story

Because this is a story, use as many paragraphs as necessary to tell the story

Write the conclusion that reflects on the thesis statement and states your thesis statement

Page 6: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

Start With a Thesis StatementStart With a Thesis Statement

The thesis will depend upon the story to be proven.

The thesis can be something general in the case of a narrative essay. For example, you may write, “Often times, people do not follow simple directions. However, these campers learned just how important following directions can be.”

The thesis will depend upon the story to be proven.

The thesis can be something general in the case of a narrative essay. For example, you may write, “Often times, people do not follow simple directions. However, these campers learned just how important following directions can be.”

Page 7: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

What Would You Expect From This Thesis?What Would You Expect From This Thesis?

As the reader, you will expect to learn why following directions is important.

As the reader, you will expect to read a story about camping.

As the reader, you will expect there to be a twist in the action.

As the reader, you will expect to learn why following directions is important.

As the reader, you will expect to read a story about camping.

As the reader, you will expect there to be a twist in the action.

Page 8: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

Outline the Parts of the Story and Write Out the Story

Outline the Parts of the Story and Write Out the Story

An Informal Outline of the Story:

Two campers go camping and ignore rules

They leave out food

An animal finds the food

One of the campers tries to scare off the animal

Campers learn to follow the rules

An Informal Outline of the Story:

Two campers go camping and ignore rules

They leave out food

An animal finds the food

One of the campers tries to scare off the animal

Campers learn to follow the rules

Page 9: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

Let’s Read the Essay – The IntroductionLet’s Read the Essay – The Introduction

It was a wonderful week to camp in the great outdoors, even if some of their friends thought it was a strange way to honeymoon. Trudy and Jeff were looking forward to their week at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. Little did they know how much they would learn from this experience in the woods. Often times people do not follow simple directions. However, these campers learned why it is important to follow directions, especially outdoors.

It was a wonderful week to camp in the great outdoors, even if some of their friends thought it was a strange way to honeymoon. Trudy and Jeff were looking forward to their week at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. Little did they know how much they would learn from this experience in the woods. Often times people do not follow simple directions. However, these campers learned why it is important to follow directions, especially outdoors.

Page 10: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

Setting the Scene of the StorySetting the Scene of the Story

After a scenic drive through the glorious mountains, Trudy and Jerry arrived at the camping area. A ranger at the booth handed them a map and asked, “Have you ever camped with us before?”

“A better question would be if we ever camped before,” Jerry answered sarcastically.

“You’ll be fine. Just remember, this isn’t a hotel. We do have bears and other animals in the area, so lock your food up in the car,” said the ranger as he handed them a pamphlet with a lists of Do’s and Don’ts.

After a scenic drive through the glorious mountains, Trudy and Jerry arrived at the camping area. A ranger at the booth handed them a map and asked, “Have you ever camped with us before?”

“A better question would be if we ever camped before,” Jerry answered sarcastically.

“You’ll be fine. Just remember, this isn’t a hotel. We do have bears and other animals in the area, so lock your food up in the car,” said the ranger as he handed them a pamphlet with a lists of Do’s and Don’ts.

Page 11: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

Developing the PlotDeveloping the Plot

It took them a few hours, but they had finally set up the little blue tent that they had just bought from Mountain Co-op last week. Exhausted from their first attempt at setting up a campsite, Trudy and Jeff crawled inside the tent that evening, giggling and whispering to each other. They doused the light inside the tent and ignored the world outside the canvas. The ranger’s list was left laying on the tent floor.

It took them a few hours, but they had finally set up the little blue tent that they had just bought from Mountain Co-op last week. Exhausted from their first attempt at setting up a campsite, Trudy and Jeff crawled inside the tent that evening, giggling and whispering to each other. They doused the light inside the tent and ignored the world outside the canvas. The ranger’s list was left laying on the tent floor.

Page 12: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

Continuing the Action – Vivid Word ChoicesContinuing the Action – Vivid Word Choices

Just before sunrise, Jerry was awakened by the sounds of metal ripping. He quietly slipped out of the tent. A fully grown black bear was sitting on their picnic table busily prying the lid off the cooler they neglected to store in the car the night before. Finding the pound of bacon he prized, the bear leaned back on his hind haunches and began to devour the bacon. Jerry started screaming at the bear, “Get out of here! What do you think you’re doing?”

Just before sunrise, Jerry was awakened by the sounds of metal ripping. He quietly slipped out of the tent. A fully grown black bear was sitting on their picnic table busily prying the lid off the cooler they neglected to store in the car the night before. Finding the pound of bacon he prized, the bear leaned back on his hind haunches and began to devour the bacon. Jerry started screaming at the bear, “Get out of here! What do you think you’re doing?”

Page 13: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

Reaching the ClimaxReaching the Climax

By this point, most of the other campers had exited their own tents and watched the scene unfold. The bear was not amused by Jerry’s threatening, especially with the remainder of the bacon at stake. The black bear stood on top of the picnic table to his full height. While the bear actually stood only four feet tall, the extra height of the table caused him to loom over Jerry’s head. The bear suddenly fell forward, striking the table with his full weight and snarled. The table moaned in response.

By this point, most of the other campers had exited their own tents and watched the scene unfold. The bear was not amused by Jerry’s threatening, especially with the remainder of the bacon at stake. The black bear stood on top of the picnic table to his full height. While the bear actually stood only four feet tall, the extra height of the table caused him to loom over Jerry’s head. The bear suddenly fell forward, striking the table with his full weight and snarled. The table moaned in response.

Page 14: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

The Climax ContinuesThe Climax Continues

Much more quickly than anyone anticipated, the bear reached out his huge, menacing paw towards Jerry. Fear leapt into Jerry’s eyes as he turned and ran back into his tent. Zip! closed the zipper.

Now, one can only imagine how much time passed before Jerry and Trudy realized the futility of his preventive actions. How was a flimsy flap of canvas going to stop a full-sized, angry bear?

Much more quickly than anyone anticipated, the bear reached out his huge, menacing paw towards Jerry. Fear leapt into Jerry’s eyes as he turned and ran back into his tent. Zip! closed the zipper.

Now, one can only imagine how much time passed before Jerry and Trudy realized the futility of his preventive actions. How was a flimsy flap of canvas going to stop a full-sized, angry bear?

Page 15: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

Finding the SolutionFinding the Solution

Fortunately, the bear was much more interested in the left-over bacon than in Jerry and Trudy. The bear cautiously turned around, climbed back on top of the table, and continued to eat his early breakfast. He carefully examined the remaining contents of the cooler. Finding nothing else as good as the bacon, the bear jumped off the picnic table, grunted, licked his paws and mouth, and then lumbered off into the deeper woods that surrounded the campground.

Fortunately, the bear was much more interested in the left-over bacon than in Jerry and Trudy. The bear cautiously turned around, climbed back on top of the table, and continued to eat his early breakfast. He carefully examined the remaining contents of the cooler. Finding nothing else as good as the bacon, the bear jumped off the picnic table, grunted, licked his paws and mouth, and then lumbered off into the deeper woods that surrounded the campground.

Page 16: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

The Concluding ParagraphThe Concluding Paragraph

The audience that had gathered applauded spontaneously, then slowly returned to their own campsites, shaking their heads in disbelief. Meanwhile, inside the thin canvas tent, Trudy and Jeff had lit their lantern and were carefully studying the items listed on the Do’s and Don’ts list. The rest of their trip was blissfully peaceful as they made sure to follow all the rules at the campsite.

The audience that had gathered applauded spontaneously, then slowly returned to their own campsites, shaking their heads in disbelief. Meanwhile, inside the thin canvas tent, Trudy and Jeff had lit their lantern and were carefully studying the items listed on the Do’s and Don’ts list. The rest of their trip was blissfully peaceful as they made sure to follow all the rules at the campsite.

Page 17: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

Additional Ideas for Your ThesisAdditional Ideas for Your Thesis

Without a thesis, or a point, you are not really writing a narrative essay but a narrative – make sure to have a point. You can get help finding a point when you:Think about sayings or quotes that teach a

lessonThink about lessons learned from Aesop’s fablesThink about a time when you learned something

valuableRead quotations to spawn ideasRead your own journals for a time something

happened worth telling others about

Without a thesis, or a point, you are not really writing a narrative essay but a narrative – make sure to have a point. You can get help finding a point when you:Think about sayings or quotes that teach a

lessonThink about lessons learned from Aesop’s fablesThink about a time when you learned something

valuableRead quotations to spawn ideasRead your own journals for a time something

happened worth telling others about

Page 18: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

AssignmentAssignment

Write a narrative essay on whatever you choose. You can choose a theme from one of the stories you have read in class to help with brainstorming.

Criteria:

1. Between 750-1000 words

2. Must be in first or third person

3. Show don’t tell!!!

4. Must be typed and double spaced

5. If you include dialogue, you must format properly. See me for directions.

Write a narrative essay on whatever you choose. You can choose a theme from one of the stories you have read in class to help with brainstorming.

Criteria:

1. Between 750-1000 words

2. Must be in first or third person

3. Show don’t tell!!!

4. Must be typed and double spaced

5. If you include dialogue, you must format properly. See me for directions.

Page 19: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

Process –First Draft Process –First Draft

1. Once you have chosen an incident, freewrite nonstop for five minutes. Do you like it? Do you feel it? If it was a struggle, then choose another topic OR change the point of view OR choose a different incident

2. Write your first draft quickly with little regard to spelling and punctuation. Work on sentences but if you are stuck on how to say it, just describe it and then come back to it.

3.Once your first draft is written, leave it for 24 hours.

1. Once you have chosen an incident, freewrite nonstop for five minutes. Do you like it? Do you feel it? If it was a struggle, then choose another topic OR change the point of view OR choose a different incident

2. Write your first draft quickly with little regard to spelling and punctuation. Work on sentences but if you are stuck on how to say it, just describe it and then come back to it.

3.Once your first draft is written, leave it for 24 hours.

Page 20: The Narrative Essay: A story with a thesis…. What is a Narrative Essay?  A narrative is a story  A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point.

Process-RevisionProcess-Revision

1. Add transition words THAT MAKE SENSE

Show don’t tell.

Revise awkward passages

Have a peer read it. If they notice anything awkward, highlight it.

Have you varied your sentence lengths? Combine some sentences but leave some simple and strong when you want to emphasize a point.

Read your essay out loud (but under your breath if with others . If it sounds strange, fix it!

1. Add transition words THAT MAKE SENSE

Show don’t tell.

Revise awkward passages

Have a peer read it. If they notice anything awkward, highlight it.

Have you varied your sentence lengths? Combine some sentences but leave some simple and strong when you want to emphasize a point.

Read your essay out loud (but under your breath if with others . If it sounds strange, fix it!


Top Related