Personal Narrative

You will be writing a personal narrative about a learning experience or

inspirational moment in your life.

Fictionvs.

Non-Fictionvs.

Creative Non-Fiction

Fiction

fiction-comes from the Latin word “created” any form of narrative which deals, in part or in

whole, with events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary and invented by its author

realistic fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction…many other genres

genre-any category of literature, as well as various other forms of art or culture such as music, based on some loose set of stylistic criteria

follows a basic pattern “story mountain”

Non-Fiction

non-fiction-writing that represents a subject as fact

the facts may be true or false, but they are believed to be fact by the author

educational, historical, biographical, autobiographical, scientific, critical, informational, personal

examples?

Creative Non-Fiction

creative non-fiction also called literary non-fiction 1970s the word “creative” refers simply to the use of literary

craft in presenting nonfiction—that is, factually accurate prose about real people and events—in a compelling, vivid manner

creative nonfiction writers do not make things up; they make ideas and information that already exist more interesting and, often, more accessible

memoir, literary journalism, immersion journalism, personal essay

prose-straightforward presentation of language

Memoir and Personal Narrative

a form of creative non-fiction

(this is what you will be doing)

conventions of realistic fiction writing characters setting conflict plot climax resolution

still follows fiction “story mountain”

Style

Descriptive Writing Observation and reflection Imagry (6 literary senses)

sight touch (physical) smell sound taste feeling (emotion)

Telling vs. Showing

Sensory details We ate a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. The skin of the turkey crackled as Uncle Bill carved it, and steam rose, curling

out above mounds of soft dressing Reflective details

When Sara moved away, I felt sad. As I watched the moving van pull out of Sara’s driveway and disappear down the

street, I felt as if a piece of me was gone forever. She was my best friend and the immediate loneliness punched me in the stomach as tears stung my eyes.

Actions Our car went out of control and went into a ditch. Our car hit ice and fishtailed. Dad wrenched the wheel toward the skid, but it

was too late. The sedan slid sideways, tipped and rolled over into the ditch. Dialogue

My friends Jana and Ella couldn’t agree on what kind of pizza to order. “Anchovies?” Jana said. “You gotta be crazy. Who eats anchovies?”

“I do,” Ella replied. “But I guess I could also go for ham and pineapple.”

It’s important to…

Hook your reader start your narrative right in the action (but don’t be trite

or cliché)

Keep your reader interested Let the reader feel as if the experience is unfolding right

before him or her (this is where showing vs. telling becomes very helpful)

Be creative! Remember, it’s all about the details…be as

descriptive as you can be

Stay Organized As You Begin

Brainstorm Be original and interesting

PrewriteNarratives are usually told in chronological

orderCreate a timeline or outline including

details associated with each part of the story

Partial Example Timeline

Pre-game

(Anticipation)

On the Field

(Excitement)

Start of Game

(Energy)Soft rainTeammates all around meJog out to the field to the roar of the crowd

Harder rainCheering fansGame plan yelled

KickoffRun toward offenseFind my man

For Now…

Brainstorm what you want your topic to be Share ideas with friends (and me) to help decide

on what experience to focus on Choose something that you won’t get bored writing

about and your readers won’t get bored reading about

Create your timeline Make sure to note details that you remember You will fill in details that you don’t remember

exactly with creative realistic details later

Characterization

method used by a writer to develop a character direct characterization

the writer makes direct statements about a character's personality and tells what the character is like

indirect characterization the writer reveals information about a character and his

personality through that character's thoughts, words, and actions, along with how other characters respond to that character, including what they think and say about him

Types of characters

Round-complex and undergo development, sometimes sufficiently to surprise the reader

Flat-minor characters in a work of fiction who do not undergo substantial change or growth in the course of a story

Stock-relies heavily on cultural types or stereotypes for its personality, manner of speech, and other characteristics

Static-remains basically unchanged throughout a work Dynamic-undergo some kind of change in the course of the

story Protagonist-around whom the events of the narrative's plot

revolve and with whom the audience is intended to share the most empathy

Antagonist-represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend

Conflict

Conflict is drama between two opposing forces in a piece of literature. If you have sufficient conflict, you will be able to move the plot forward and keep the attention of your reader. If your writing lacks conflict, it will lack tension and will fall flat.

Five different types of conflict in literature

Character vs. CharacterCharacter vs. SelfCharacter vs. SocietyCharacter vs. NatureCharacter vs. Supernatural

Figurative language

Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else, you are using figurative language. Any language that goes beyond the literal meaning of words in order to furnish new effects or fresh insights into an idea or a subject. The most common figures of speech are simile, metaphor, and alliteration.

GREAT way to be descriptive!!!

Dialogue

Don’t overuse…this is not a playPunctuate and format correctlyDialogue handout will be handy for you!

Aphorisms

An original thoughtA concisely phrased moralA little bit of wisdomA saying conveying truthAn observationA life lesson