Personal Narrative Everyone has a story to tell! What’s yours? 1All materials by Mauri Fava

All materials by Mauri Fava 1

Personal NarrativeEveryone has a story to tell!

What’s yours?


What is a personal narrative?

Tells a memory of the author, focusing on an important event in his or her life.

Includes story elements:»Characters»Setting»Plot»Dialogue»Point of view


What makes for a strong narrative?

Engaging hookInteresting charactersVivid settingSensory detailsStrong point of viewSome dialogueSatisfying ending

It needs what every good story needs!


Step 1: Pick a topic!

Make a list of some possible topics for your narrative using the following prompts:1. Accident or time you

got hurt2. Time you got in trouble3. A special trip4. An argument or fight5. Your best or worst day6. An accomplishment

such as a recital performance

7. Coping with a sick or injured loved one or pet

8. Something you are proud or ashamed of

9. A victory or defeat in sports

10. A frightening experience such as being home alone night


Step 2: Sensory Details

RECORD AT LEAST ONE DETAIL FOR EVERY SENSE

Be prepared to share!


Some examples….A sports story

I watched my homerun sail over the fence like a legendary bird taking flight.

I heard the clashing of sticks as we all battled for the puck.

As the referee screamed in my face, I got a nasty whiff of his menthol cigarette breath.

Sweat stung my eyes as I went for the three pointer.

Nothing tastes worse than a mouthful of grass and dirt when a monster O.T. takes you down.


An accident

The day started out great with the sun blinking in the sky at me as I rode my bike down the street, passing freshly

mowed lawns and new spring gardens.

I heard the shrill screech of the car’s brakes before I saw it.

The smell of burning rubber filled my nostrils as I lie on the street, my head just inches from the car’s wheels.

My tongue moved around my mouth to find that one of my teeth was gone.

The metallic taste of blood flooded my mouth.


Step 3: Thoughts and Feelings

Thoughts FeelingsBeginning

Middle

End

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Step 3: Thoughts and Feelings

Thoughts FeelingsBeginning

Middle

End

I thought if we could just work as a team for once, maybe we could pull out a win.

I was feeling hopeful as we took to the field, convinced that it was finally our turn for victory.

I could tell that my teammates were tired, but I thought we could rally in the second half.

Shame burned on my face as I stood up and walked away from the fumbled ball.

My team has potential, and I know that this win is just the beginning of a great streak.

I felt redemption as I plowed into the end zone.

Lesson Learned:


Step 4: Lesson Learned

• Every story has a lesson. Ask yourself:

– What did you learn?– How will this past experience affect your future

actions?– Have you changed as a result of the experience?

Be prepared to share!


Step 5: Graphic Organizer

Steps:1. What is the event?2. Add topics for paragraphs 2, 3,

and 4.3. Add details for paragraphs 2, 3,

and 4.

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Event:

Topic:

P2:

P3:

P4:

Details (4-5)

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Event: Rafting trip in Wyoming last summer

Topic:P2: Fun riding the rapids

P3: Accident

P4: Rescue

Details (4-5) a.like a rollercoaster

b.got to swim

c. lots of laughing

d. saw an eagle

a.ignored guide

b.I flew into water

c. Got tossed in rapid

d. Hit leg on rock

a. calm water

b. guide threw rope

c. Mom gasped

d. Leg wound


Step 6: The Hook

Some Options:

• Dialogue• Question• Observation• Work backwards

Let’s get started!

Name

Period

Date

Title

Indent

X’s every other line (remind yourself to doublespace!)All materials by Mauri Fava 15


Dialogue

“Quick! Run! He’s after us!” It was the closest I ever came to death. It happened one Sunday last summer…

dog attack


“You’re such a loser, Connelly!” It was the championship game and I…

fumbled ball

Dialogue


“Buckle up! This is going to be the ride of your life!”

day at an amusement park

Dialogue


Ask a question that engages reader

Have you ever had a teacher you just couldn’t get along with? I sure have…

suspension

Engaging Questions


What can you do if your best friend suddenly becomes your worst enemy? This is what happened to me last year…

fight with a friend

Engaging Questions


Make an Observation

Sometimes the people closest to you can hurt you the most. Take it from me…

divorce


Make an Observation

In my experience, sleepovers can turn ugly quick…

sleepover gone wrong


Make an Observation

Sometimes it takes something terrible to realize what is important in life…

car accident


Begin at the end

As I drove home from the hospital, my arm throbbing in pain, I knew it was going to be a miserable summer. Why, you might ask?

injury

Work Backwards: Begin at the End


Begin at the end

As Principal Cardoni grilled me with his tuna breath, I kept thinking back to when I first decided to get myself in so much trouble. This could all have been avoided if I had just said, “No.”

trouble at school

Work Backwards: Begin at the End

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“We are in it to win it!” my coach cheered. Of course, this seemed unlikely since my team, the Jaguars, only won two games all season, and we were about to play the Chargers, the only undefeated team in the league. As Coach Bradley always pointed out, we had talent and even heart, but we just couldn’t get it together and play like a team. So I figured the Chargers were gonna murder us. I liked Coach Bradley’s optimism, but I was a realist. We weren’t gonna win; my goal was to lose with dignity.

Paragraph 1:*Hook*Who? What? Where? When? Why should the reader care?

All materials by Mauri Fava

Narrative TransitionsAfterAfterwardAs soon asDuringAs soonAroundBehindBeneathBetweenBeyondNearbyBeforeFinally

LaterThe next momentAfter a timeSuddenlyNot Long AfterUntilWhenWhileOne daySubsequentlyFirstSecondMeanwhile

ImmediatelySoonYesterdayTomorrowOnceIn the meantimeAcrossBeyondUnderAboveNearbyBelowFurther Along

27All materials by Mauri Fava


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The referee threw the ball up for the tip off, and the game began. I had the jitters and felt my legs start to wobble. The Chargers won the tip off and blazed a trail down the court to score the first point of the game. I dribbled the ball back up court, but a Charger snatched it from me in a flash. As I watched his breakaway and heard the swish of the net, I thought to myself, I’m better than this. Marcus, my teammate, pretty much said the same thing to me with his icy stare. I tried to shrug it off, but by the end of the first quarter, we were down by eight points.

Paragraph 2: First Event


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The second quarter began without me. I didn’t know whether to be insulted or relieved that I wasn’t starting. The Chargers maintained their lead. Marcus got in some good shots, but all in all, we were being trampled as I predicted we would be. By the end of the second quarter, we were down by ten, and suddenly, I was itching to get back in the game. “Are you in it to win it yet?” Coach asked me. I nodded and he let me start the third quarter. I bolted from the bench like a tiger released from a cage. I won the tip-off and took the ball up the court. I got to the top of the key, took a shot, and scored my first point of the game. I looked over at Marcus to see a grin spread across his face. I went on to score eight more points that quarter.

Paragraph 3: Second Event


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By the middle of the fourth quarter, the Chargers still had a four point lead, but Coach Bradley said that we could take this game, and for the first time, I actually agreed with him. Suddenly I was on fire, and a win seemed possible. “A good team makes you play up,” he said. And he was right. With two minutes left to the game, I got possession of the ball and passed it to Marcus. His reverse lay-up brought our score to within two points of the Chargers. As they took the ball up court, I intercepted and tried to get a breakaway, but their defense was on me in a flash. With tens second left in the game, I got another chance, a chance at a three pointer. Sweat stung my eyes as I went for it. Swish!

Paragraph 4: Third Event


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When the bell signaled the end of the game, my team exploded onto the court to congratulate me. We had beat the Chargers! Coach Bradley could not help put point out the obvious lesson. No matter what the odds, you need to try your hardest and believe in yourself. I learned this that day. I guess the Chargers learned a lesson that day too. Never underestimate the Jaguars!

Paragraph 5: Conclusion*Reflection (thoughts, feelings, and opinions about what occurred) *Lesson learned


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Are your details on topic? Did you begin with a strong hook? Have you included rich sensory details? Are your paragraphs indented? Did you count five good sentences in each paragraph? Do you have complete transitions? Did you vary your sentence beginnings? Did you use varied and powerful language? Do you have any short choppy sentences to combine or

extend?

Self Check Revision Checklist


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• Take your peer’s draft and move back to your own seat.• Check off items on the revision checklist as you review

your peer’s story.• Record suggestions.• Wait patiently for others to finish the revision process.• When I give the signal, meet with your peer to discuss

suggestions.• Be prepared to discuss suggestions you offered and were

given.

Self Check Revision Rules


.

Do you have any misspelled words?Have you checked end punctuation?Do you have the necessary commas and

semicolons?Do all of your possessive words and

contractions have apostrophes?Did you capitalize proper nouns, the beginning

word of each sentence and the pronoun “I”?Did you double-space your work?

Editing Checklist

Focus Domain

• A/B• C/D• E/F

• Sit next to partner.• Take his or her form and write your

name next to “Editor name.”• Look at FCAs; this is all you are looking

for.• Read paper and make notes

throughout.• Be prepared to record and give your

partner a “push” and a “praise.• Any disrespect or off-task behavior will

result in a green card.


Focus FCAs

One topic/eventDetails support topic

Organization Domain

• A/C• B/E• D/F







Organization FCAS

All needed spatial/sequential transitions are present

Details are logical and well-sequencedFive indented paragraphs


Content Domain

•A/D•B/F•C/E








Content FCAS

Five sentences/five paragraphsAttention grabber is engagingSensory details are used to describe people,

setting, and eventThoughts, feelings, and opinions are includedConclusion shows a resolution and reflection

Style Domain

• A/E• B/D• C/F


name next to “Editor name.”• Look at FCAs; this is all you are

looking for.• Read paper and make notes


partner a “push” and a “praise.• Any disrespect or off-task behavior

will result in a green card.


Style FCAs

Sentences are not short and choppyWord choice is varied and appropriateNo confusing pronoun usageExpression is formal and concise (don’t write

as you talk!)

Convention Domain

A/FB/CD/E


name next to “Editor name.”• Look at FCAs; this is all you are

looking for.• Read paper and make notes


partner a “push” and a “praise.• Any disrespect or off-task behavior

will result in a green card.

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Convention FCAs

Complete sentences Appropriate punctuationCorrect spelling Appropriate capitalization

All materials by Mauri Fava


Take it home and make it perfect!

• Follow rubric• Type in Times New Roman, font size 12 or…• Handwrite neatly• Double-space!!! Highlight, control + 2• Bring paper in on or before due date or we call

home that day and you lose 10% for each day late.


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• Take your peer’s draft and move back to your own seat.

• Check off items on the editing checklist as you review your peer’s story.

• Use proofreading marks to make corrections.• Wait patiently for others to finish the editing process.• When I give the signal, meet with your peer to

discuss changes.• Be prepared to discuss corrections.

Peer Editing Rules

Documents

Personal Narrative Everyone has a story to tell! What’s yours? 1All materials by Mauri Fava