Writing Narratives
Problem & Situation: ____________________
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Interesting Opening Sentence:
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Elements of Narrative:
Who? __________
What happened? __________
Where? __________
How did you feel? __________
Sentences:
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Student Samples
We were shopping around the store and were ready to check out. The lines were very Long, but we finally got there. The cashier was a lady; a young lady. She wore a red dress. She had a very clear complexion and reddish brown hair piled on top of her head. Her eyes, as bright blue as the sky, were highlighted by long lashes. Over her eyelids, she wore blue makeup which matched her eyes.
We laid our belongings on the counter and she pushed down the register buttons with her long red nails. She worked rapidly. When she was finished, she whispered softly “11.50.” She opened a bag and started loading our belongings in it. When she was finished packing, we left the store.
The Cop
His hat was big and blue. His eyes were as blue as the fresh spring morning. His badge was like the North Star on a background of dark blue. The belt he wore was tightly woven black leather with a Colt .38 revolver strapped to hip right. To his left was strapped a set of shiny handcuffs. As he quickly walked down the street, he poetically twirled his nightstick like a conductor, leading his orchestra. The sun, directly overhead, beat down on his forehead. His shiny black shoes had the reflection of a mirror.
Student Samples
Rampage of Fear
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On a cool and bright afternoon,
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With cool breezes and singing birds,
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The people downtown rush and push like ants,
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On a rampage of fear.
Soldiers at Attention
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Soldiers at attention are like an orchard of trees,
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All in a row as straight as can be
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With the wind in the air, and birds in the trees,
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You can even hear them breathe.
Trees
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Trees on a windy day sound like the whistle on a steamboat chugging through the harbor on a dark and cold night when the sky is filled with stars.
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When the wind blows against the trees, they look like someone dancing at noon doing the “Hustle.”
“Advanced” Activities
It is suggested that the guide sheets provided here be used following several of the previous writing activities proposed in the unit. Allow your students to master several of the basic, as well as advanced, skills before assigning any of these activities.
It is suggested that these plan sheets serve as a model for the teacher. They may be modified or altered in any way to facilitate the needs of individual teachers and classroom objectives. From my experience with my eighth graders, I can say that the forms, as they appear here, have worked well with the objectives of my lessons.
Expansion would take place following transferral of the provided information.
Writing about Biographies
Fill in this guide sheet with any acceptable information. You can expand, change, or use any part of the plan sheet to help you write about the biography you have read.
_____ written by _____ is the story of _____ the famous _____ .I think the book is because _____ .
The most important part of _____ life was when _____ .
I think an important lesson can be learned from _____ life. Although _____ he/she _____ .
I would recommend this book to _____ because _____ .
Writing about Non-Fiction Selections
Fill in the guide sheet with any acceptable information. You can expand, change, or use any part of this plan sheet to help you write about the non-fiction selection you have read.
_____ written by _____ is a non-fiction book about _____ . I thought the book was _____ because _____ .
In the book, the author told all about _____ ._____ . He pointed out that _____
The most interesting part of the book was _____ _____ _____ .I learned that _____ .
I would recommend this book to other students who _____ _____ because _____ .
Writing about Poetry
Fill in the blanks of this guide sheet with any acceptable information. You can expand change, or use any part of this sheet to help you write about the poem you have read.
_____ is a _____ poem
written by _____ . I enjoyed the poem because I thought that _____
The most interesting part of the poem for me was the way the author used _____ . This helped me to understand the poem better because _____ _____ .
I enjoyed this poem because _____ _____ . I think other students might like it too because _____ _____ .
Writing about Fiction
Fill in this guide sheet with any acceptable information. You can expand, change, or use any part of the sheet to help you write about the book you have read.
_____ written by _____ is a(n)_____ story about _____ a _____ . The story, which takes place _____ during _____ , is _____ _____ .
The most important character(s) in the story is (are)_____ _____ . He/she/they is/are _____ . _____ who _____ . His/her/their most important decision is when _____ .. The problem is finally solved when _____ _____ .. I liked/disliked _____ because _____ .
The lesson that _____ teaches is that _____ _____. I approve/disapprove of the ending because _____ . The only change I might want to make in the story is that _____ _____ .
I would recommend this book to other students who _____ because _____ .
