Beginning Composition

Narrative Unit I- “My Epiphany”

Purpose of a Descriptive Narrative

Convey a verbal picture with your reader:

person

place

idea

state of mind

situation

Your first steps...

1.Select your topic or situation

2.Gather as many subjective or objective

imagery driven details as possible

3.What is your purpose (the message you are

trying to convey)?

4.What is the dominant impression you are

looking to make?

Point of View

Ask yourself...what POV will I tell this

narrative from?

First person?

Third person?

Your Assignment

Describe an event in your life wherein you

experienced an epiphany, a revelation of some

meaningful reality.

Purpose?

To show and tell about a turning point for you,

the writer.

Basic Components of an Effective

Narrative Essay

1.Establish a Context (Exposition): Let the

reader know where and when the action

happened, when it happened and to whom it

happened.

Basic Components Continued

2. Details - Selective figuratively rich subjective

and objective details that support your purpose

and dominant impression (the emotion you are

trying to convey).

Basic Components Continued

3. Organization - Your narrative, since it is a

record of a complete action, should have a

beginning, a middle and an end. All narrative

lends itself to chronological order, but you do

not necessarily have to start with the event

that occurred first.

Basic Components Continued

4. Point of View: You should consider the

point of view from which your narrative is

told. Most students choose a first person

narration, but perhaps a more detached 3rd

person perspective in more appropriate for

your essay.

Basic Components Continued

5. Diction: You should use descriptive words in

your narrative. Avoid vague words such as

good, nice, bad, etc. For example:

Vague: “There was a fish on the counter.”

Descriptive: “There was a slimy rock cod with bulging eyes

that pleaded not to be thrown in the pan of hot oil.”

Basic Components Continued

6. Imagery: Smells that are in the air (the aroma of fresh brewed coffee)

Sounds (traffic, honking horns)

Sights (“Two shining arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face

and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward”

Touch (“The texture of the adobe hut’s walls resembled coarse

sandpaper”)

Taste: sweet, sour salty, bitter tart

Basic Components Continued

7. Syntax: Use a variety of sentence types and

beginnings for effect (that is, to support your

dominant impression).

Basic Components

8. Types of

Figurative Language:

Simile - using the words such as “like” or “as” to compare dissimilar things

Metaphor: Implying comparisons

Personification: Giving human characteristics to nonhuman things

Overstatement or Hyperbole: Using figurative language in which exaggeration is used for

emphasis or effect (“My clothes have failed me”

Understatement: Writing something the opposite to what is expected or says something less than

expected (“Yesterday was a little cool. The high temperature was zero degrees.”

Sound words (Onomatopoeia): Using words that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or

actions to which they refer. (Boom, pow, splat)

Symbol: A person, place or thing that represents an abstract idea or concept. Example: a rock

as a symbol of strength, a road as a spiritual journey.

Basic Components Continued

9. A Logical Conclusion:

The conclusion may also have descriptive

words; however, make certain the conclusion

is logical and relevant. Create a lasting

image for the reader.

Our Process

We will write the essay in class step by step: 1. Select your event

2. Brainstorm descriptive details

3. Group discussions

4. Mentor/Example texts

5. Body paragraphs, introductions and conclusions

checked off/feedback in class

Important Dates

Rough Draft Due: Wednesday, August 24th Typed, MLA Format (we will discuss this process at a later

date) Peer Editing Workshop

Final Draft Due: Thursday, August 25th Final Draft saved to Google Drive and uploaded to

Turnitin.com(more details later)