Biographical Narrative: Part 1

ObjectivesStudents will be able to: identify a. Features of a successful narrativeb. key elements of their biographical narratives.

CA StandardWriting 2.1

Write biographical, autobiographical, or short stories.

Key Questions1. What is a controlling impression?2. What are the main ingredients for my (auto)biographical narrative?3. What are the main parts of the narrative’s sequence of events?

What are the tasks that I will need to accomplish in order to meet Writing Standard 2.1?

Analyze the rubric w/ a partner.

Summarize the specific requirements of the biographical essay.

What are the rubric requirements?

1. Narrates a sequence of events and communicates their significance to the audience

2. Reveals elements of the character’s traits through specific actions, speech, movements, gestures, thoughts and/or feelings (including dialogue and interior monologue)

3. Describes the setting with vivid sensory details that highlight the controlling impression of the experience

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The Prompt

My biographical narrative will be about ____________________. They are significant because________. I will show their significance by writing about a time when__________________________________. From this event the reader will see that they are ________, _______, and _____________.

Your Biographical Essay should be built around your controlling impression.

The controlling impression is what you want the readers to

think and feel about the person whom you are writing about.

Biographical EssayIntroduction Body Paragraphs Conclusion

Attention Grabbing Opener: (1 sentence that summarizes what you have learned from this person’s influence) ______________________________________________________________________Background: Who are you writing about? What is their relationship to you? Why are they worthy of your admiration? (3 sentences)______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Controlling impression: Explain the impact this person has had on your life. (1 sentence) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BODY PARAGRAPH #1:

Topic Sentence (1 sentence that summarizes your subjects character traits)__________________________________________________________BODY PARAGRAPH #2:

Topic Sentence (1 sentence that describes a challenge your subject has overcome)__________________________________________________________BODY PARAGRAPH #3:

Topic Sentence (1 sentence that describes the effect of this person in your life)__________________________________________________________

CONCLUSION (5 sentences) Topic Sentence (Restate controlling impression using different words) (1 sentence)______________________________________________________________________________________ Commentary (Significance of the events) (3 sentences)______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Concluding Sentence (Relate back to opener. Summarize the importance of this person in your life) (1 sentence)_______________________________________________________________________________________

CharactersIt’s all in the details! Interview your partner about their character.

Questions Character

How does the main character think, act, and feel?

Main character traits:

What motivates your character? Character motivations:

What does the character look like? Describe his or her voice.

Character description:

What unique personality mannerisms or habits does your have?

Unique mannerisms & habits:

Instead of a traditional thesis statement, in a biographical narrative you should:

Narrate detailed anecdotes, or stories, about the person you

are writing about.

Include: sensory details, direct and indirect characterization, dialogue, interior monologue.

The Introduction

• Opener: One sentence that summarizes what you have learned from your subject.

• Who is you main character? • Write three sentences that provide a background for

you subject. These should answer:• Who is this person?• What is their relationship to you?• Why is this person worthy of your admiration?

• Last sentence of this paragraph should explain the impact of this person on your life.

Complete the following Bubble Map. You will use this as support during your Timed Write on MONDAY.

Name Looks

Sayings Thoughts

Life Experience

Motivations

Relationships Trait Trait

What I want the reader to think and feel about the person I am writing about.

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An event, or anecdote, that shows their character and importance in my life.A

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