Narrative Writing

October 13, 2009

Toni Thompson

Kim Boettcher

“Fiction is like a spider’s web, attached ever so lightly perhaps, but still attached to life at all four corners.”

The writer of good fiction has to…

Create an interesting lead that grabs the reader’s attention Provide organization: Beginning, Middle and End Transition between beginning, middle and end so story flows

smoothly Create a problem or conflict for main character Strongly develop characters - dialogue may be used to

enhance relationships Create a climax or high point of the story Conclude with a solution that wraps up the plot Create a theme Create a setting with sufficient background as to make it

interesting and to provide a ‘world’ for the story to live in

The Writing Community

When the teacher is seen writing, students understand that adults also struggle and revise

Trust is built as students and teacher share their work Relationships are built when we learn more about one another Revision is seen as a way to better express yourself

Narrative Genres

Biographies Multicultural/Diversity Parodies Tall Tales Fables Mysteries Fairy Tales Adventure Stories Science Fiction Graphic Novels/Stories

Narrative Leads

Typical: “It was a day at the end of June. My mom…”

Action: “I gulped my milk, pushed away from the table…”

Dialogue: “Scott! Get down here on the double!”

Reaction: “I couldn’t imagine why my father was hollering…”

Beginning

A strong lead that draws the reader in Introduce your main character(s) Create a descriptive setting Transition into the middle: signal the

problem

Middle

The largest part of the story The problem is described in detail with its

effect on the character(s) Develop the plot toward the climax or high

point of the story Develop a change in the character: an

acknowledgment or understanding of something

Signal the resolution of the problem

End

The solution of the problem Resolution for the characters Conclude the plot

Writing to show not tell…

Strategies: 4 Quadrants, SMART coaching cards

Character: actions, feelings, relationships between characters

Write about what you know or research details about your topic

VAMPIRE Found Poem

Character Development

Character development handout

Character interviews

Dialogue

Point of View

Usually is first person (I) or third person (he or she)

Parodies: good genre to model point of view

Narrative Writing

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick Imagine a Night

The Writing Mini-Conference

‘in process’ feedback What’s working?

What’s not working? Where to from here?

Prompts for conferencing and revision

Recording system for conference