Narrative Writing Practice

What is the purpose of a narrative?

• To give the reader information

• To persuade readers

• To tell a story

• To describe characters

A concluding statement is important because

• It gives information

• It conveys thoughts and ideas

• It provides closure to the end of the story

• It supports analysis and reflection

True or False.  It is a good idea to "hook" reader at the beginning of the story.

• False

• True

True or False.  A narrative must have characters.

• True

• False

An example of a sensory detail is

• Rattling thunder and lightening flashes

• Talking

• A magic wand

• Happy

If you are asked to: Write an introduction to the narrative that sets up the action to come. What are you being asked to do?

• Write the beginning of a story (somebody, wanted, but)

• Write the end of a story (so, then)

A student is writing a narrative for her teacher about a child on a hot day. Read the draft of the narrative and complete the task that follows.

Sweat dripped down Frank's face as he stood in line at the ice cream truck. He looked dreamily at the frozen fruit pop that a girl had just purchased. His mouth watered as he imagined the taste of the sweet treat. The kid in front of him couldn't decide between a fruit pop and a chocolate freeze. The sweltering heat made his wait bad, but he knew relief would come soon.

To add more description, select the two best pairs of words to replace the words looked and bad.

• watched/cruel

• stared/painful

• eyed/incredible

• gazed/dreadful

• gawked/frightful

If you are given a narrative writing task (story or play), what should you use to organize your writing?

• T-chart

• Squares/Plot Diagram

Label the front of your graphic organizer for a narrative

c

d

e

f

Plot

Theme

Character and traits

Summary

Main conflict

Setting

Label the back of your graphic organizer for a narrative

c

d

e

b

a

Then

Somebody

So

Wanted

But