Death Narrative Essay

Plot NotesPlot is the sequence of events within a story.

During the exposition, the author introduces the setting (time and place) and characters.

The rising action introduces the conflict (problem).

The climax is the turning point in the story or the point of highest suspense.

The falling action eases suspense, and the main conflict is resolved.

In the resolution, all conflicts are resolved, and the story ends.

PromptWrite a narrative in which you are the speaker of Annabel Lee, the highwayman, Bess, the speaker of the raven, or a peasant living during the plague. Explain your experiences with death. Write from a first-person point of view, using dialogue, description, and chronology to describe your adventures. Your written response should be in the form of a multi-paragraph narrative story.

Point of View NotesFirst person uses pronouns such as I, me, my, and mine. It provides only the narrator's thoughts, allowing for greater knowledge of the character

Example

I set off down a small alleyway where a cat exchanged a disturbing glance with

me.

Second person uses pronouns such as you and yours. It forces the reader to be a character.

Example

You would be really scared too!

Point of View NotesThird person uses the pronouns he, his, she, hers, it, and they.

Third person limited provides the thoughts of one character. It allows authors to hide the thoughts of other characters.

Example

Jill was scared to admit she liked Jack, and feared his reaction more than anything.

Third person omniscient provides the thoughts of all characters. It allows readers to analyze each character's thoughts.

Example

Jill was scared to admit that she liked Jack, but little did she know, he liked her too.

Dialogue NotesDialogue occurs when two characters speak with one another. Place quotation marks around dialogue.

Whenever a new character speaks, capitalize the first word and begin a new paragraph.

Place periods and commas inside quotation marks.

Place question marks and exclamation points inside quotes if the character questions or exclaims.

Provide a dialogue tag (ex. Rikki screamed) whenever a character speaks.

Example

Nagaina hissed, “Soon, I shall strike Teddy, ending his life!”

“While the people sleep,” Nag mused, “I shall murder them with a single strike.”

Setting NotesThe setting is the time or place in which a text occurs.

Example

When he revived, he was lying in the hot sun on the middle of a garden path, very draggled indeed.

ExpositionEngage and orient the reader by: setting the situation, establishing the point of view, and introducing a character.

Example

Within a shining kingdom by the shimmering sea, I first laid eyes upon Annabel Lee. It was during the annual harvest festival, and she radiated beauty, her blue eyes twinkling enough to make the angels green with envy. Nervously, I approached her, palms wringing with sweat, and with a cracking voice, I uttered, “Would you care to dance?”

“Only if you dance better than you ask out a girl,” she giggled, and with that musical laugh, as sweet as summer dew, I fell in love. Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted with the clashing sounds of raspy coughs. “Pardon me. It’s just my allergies; I swear. Well, come on then,” she chimed and motioned to the dance floor.

Prompt: Write a narrative in which you are the speaker of Annabel Lee, the highwayman, Bess, the speaker of the raven, or a peasant living during the plague. Explain your experiences with death. Write from a first-person point of view, using dialogue, description, and chronology to describe your adventures. Your written response should be in the form of a multi-paragraph narrative story.

Suspense and Foreshadowing NotesSuspense occurs when the author creates emotional tension within a story. Authors utilize cliffhangers to create suspense.

Example

As the clock struck midnight, Cinderella's dress began to fray.

Foreshadowing occurs when authors provide words or phrases that hint at future events within the story.

Example

“Of course, Cinderella may attend the ball if she finishes her chores,” the evil stepmother uttered with a sly smile.

Rising ActionEstablish the problem and its significance through suspense and foreshadowing.

Example

Twirling on the stone dance floor, we whirled into a life together and got married in the spring. For two years, my life bubbled happiness and pleasure—until the day of the fall.

“Edgar, come and see the sunset this evening. I absolutely adore the colors” Anna called within the walls of our little kingdom.

“I’m sure it cannot compare with your beauty,” I quipped.

However, before I could round the rugged, stone walls, a deadening thud echoed throughout the hushed halls.

“Anna!” I cried, barreling forwards, and when I caught a glimpse of her, I knew. Her ebony hair shined a little less, her lips slightly less colorful. This was only the beginning of her illness.

Prompt: Write a narrative in which you are the speaker of Annabel Lee, the highwayman, Bess, the speaker of the raven, or a peasant living during the plague. Explain your experiences with death. Write from a first-person point of view, using dialogue, description, and chronology to describe your adventures. Your written response should be in the form of a multi-paragraph narrative story.

Conflict NotesSimply, a conflict is a problem or a battle of opposing forces.

Example

In District 12, the citizens lacked adequate food.

An external conflict occurs between a character and an outside force, such as another character or nature.

Example

Katniss Everdeen knocked an arrow, released the taut bow string, and decimated an opponent.

Conflict NotesAn internal conflict occurs within a character's heart or mind, such as emotions or desires.

Example

Katniss Everdeen struggled with Peeta's betrayal; clearly, the bread boy intended to benefit the Career Tributes.

ClimaxUse precise words and language to capture the action and convey the most conflicting events of the story and develop the main character.

Example

“Curse the angels!” I raged throughout her room. “Curse their jealous of our love! We were pure. Innocent. And because of their jealously, they’re taking her away from me!”

My lamentations blasted the lifeless walls.

When my rage expired, I simply wept. Silver tears glistened down my cheek. Once my sobs subsided, I merely listened—to silence, yet this lack of sound bored into my mind like a venom poisoning my soul.

“Anna!” I howled, realizing her faint breath, more quiet than the flap of a butterfly’s wing, had ceased. As suddenly as she pranced into my life, my love had died.

Prompt: Write a narrative in which you are the speaker of Annabel Lee, the highwayman, Bess, the speaker of the raven, or a peasant living during the plague. Explain your experiences with death. Write from a first-person point of view, using dialogue, description, and chronology to describe your adventures. Your written response should be in the form of a multi-paragraph narrative story.

Falling ActionAllows characters to begin reflecting on the story’s events.

Example

“They will lose,” I muttered, “All of the seraphim in heaven above. They believe the have to us apart. We shall see who laughs last.”

On the day of her funeral, gray skies peered down on the ceremony. Sobs rang across the beach as we laid her in the tomb, for she was much loved and, oh, so beautiful.

That night, as the stars glimmered overhead, I trudged through the sand, the ocean’s luscious song leading me towards my love. The hinges creaked when I cracked open the door. I gagged, for the scent of death had already invaded the walls.

No matter. I delicately tip-toed across the marble floor, my shoes scraping slightly, I cracked open the casket and slithered inside.

Thus, the angels shall never keep us apart. I loved her from the moment I laid eyes on her, and that love shall never end. With a kiss in her pale forehead and a chilling hug, I drifted into sleep.

Prompt: Write a narrative in which you are the speaker of Annabel Lee, the highwayman, Bess, the speaker of the raven, or a peasant living during the plague. Explain your experiences with death. Write from a first-person point of view, using dialogue, description, and chronology to describe your adventures. Your written response should be in the form of a multi-paragraph narrative story.

ResolutionProvides a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrative

Example

When glints of sunlight danced on my eyelids through the cracked walls of the sepulcher, I slowly woke. Rhythmically, the waves crashed on the shore beside me like little cymbals. I leaned in gently and kissed my wife on her icy, pale lips then slowly rose and shuffled towards the door.

“Good morning, my darling,” I whispered as I painfully shut the tomb and barred the door.

Even in death, I still adore her. Some people my view me as a monster, but I feel no shame. I will love my wife, my darling, and my bride—forever.

Prompt: Write a narrative in which you are the speaker of Annabel Lee, the highwayman, Bess, the speaker of the raven, or a peasant living during the plague. Explain your experiences with death. Write from a first-person point of view, using dialogue, description, and chronology to describe your adventures. Your written response should be in the form of a multi-paragraph narrative story.

Final DraftRewrite and revise your essay.

oLanguageo Are your words strong?

oConventions of Englisho Did you fix errors such as run-on sentences?

oOrganizationo Does your essay make sense?o Can you clarify any confusing sections?

oDevelopmento Did you use narrative techniques (dialogue, suspense, foreshadowing, etc.) to strengthen the story?o Did you include appropriate details from the base text?