Creating a Story from

the Interview

From Interview to Narrative

What ideas and content are you going to include in the narrative?

What do you think will be important to include?

What will your thesis statement be?

Thesis Statements

Remind me, what is a thesis statement?• It captures the main idea of your paper

or speech.• It takes a specific stand or position, or

presents a feeling or feature.• Often it will include brief examples of

evidence that supports the position. • It should stick out and each paragraph

should connect to the thesis.

Thesis Statements

• In other words…• It is the main argument of your speech

written out in a single sentence

Formula:A specific subject

+ a particular stand, feeling or feature = an effective thesis statement

A thesis statement is not...

• A title• Bad: My first day of school• Better: On my first day of school I met

my best friend who helped me get through the roughest time of my life.

• A question • Bad: Why do people eat so much fast

food?• Better: The American diet has become

unhealthy and low in quality because of our demand for immediate satisfaction.

A thesis statement is not…

• A vague statement• Bad: My sister is a good person.• Better: Some may call her stubborn, but my

sister is a person of integrity who shows determination to complete all of her goals.

• An announcement• Bad: My paper will tell you why people don’t

accept differences.• Better: We often don’t accept people

different from ourselves out of fear, ignorance, and learned prejudice.

Thesis Test

Ask these questions to see if you have a good thesis:

• Does your thesis inspire a reasonable reader to ask “How” or “Why?”

• Would a reasonable reader not respond with “so what?” or “gee, no kidding!”

• Does your thesis take a specific position?

• Does your thesis provide an idea of the subtopics you will use to prove your point?

Outline of Narrative

Introduction: Includes your thesis

Body

Story 1

Story 2

Story 3

Conclusion: Restate your thesis

Introductions

What should an introduction accomplish?• Gain attention

• Produce interest

• Excite the curiosity of the listeners

• Prepares and opens the minds of the audience

How might a speaker accomplish this?

Some Introduction Strategies

• Compliment your audience. Mention something about the local area that is universally experienced by the audienceo Cornhuskerso Cold weathero Local terminology

• Refer to a recent incident that might be pertinent to your topic

Introduction Strategies

• Use a famous or relevant quotation that makes your audience think

• Open with a story - Begin in the middle of things. Tell us one of your stories first and then go back and explaino Humorouso Human interesto Serious/Dramatic

Introduction Strategies

• Open with a historical anecdoteo "In 1931, the second round of bank

failures hit the U.S. economy sending the already vanishing hopes of a generation spiraling downward. Bread lines grew as jobs continued to disappear. However, as Americans lost jobs, my grandfather took a promotion. At the age of 12, my grandfather lost his father and caretaker of the family farm, leaving him in charge of the farming duties."

Introduction Strategies• Ask pertinent and challenging questions to

arouse the audience's curiosity

• Open with a novel or new idea (this can be tough)o "The other night I sat by and watched as an

older man walking down the street was attacked and beaten almost to death by a vicious group of thugs. That horrible image has stuck with me for days now. Of course, it was only a movie. But that's the problem with graphic violence. Real or fictional, it stays inside my head" (qtd. in Carlile and Hensley).

• Combine two or more of these techniques

Introduction Requirement

• Must contain your thesis statement. Generally this can come toward the end of your introduction.

• Reminder:

• Your thesis statement should contain your three main points within the sentence or shortly following it.

Crafting a Conclusion

"Brings together all of the thoughts, emotions, discussions, arguments, and feelings that you have tried to communicate" (Carlile and Hensley 35).

A conclusion should…

Restate your thesis with stronger, more powerful vocabulary:• Thesis - Volunteerism can change your

life• Restatement: Volunteerism, giving of

your talents to improve someone else's condition, can change a life In fact, it can change yours as well as those of the people you help (Carlile and Hensley 36).

Strategies

1. Summarize: Restate the speech title, the purpose, a particular phrase that you've used, a quotation from earlier in your speech…

2. Employ a striking anecdote, analogy, or simile:

"Just as a wind snuffs out the light from a candle, the winds of turmoil and discontent in our cities are snuffing out the lives and potential light of too many innocent youth. It is time to act to save our chilren" (qtd. in Carlile and Hensley)>

Strategies

3. Use a vivid illustration of the central ida to conclude your speech:

"Millions of Americans once worshipped basketball star Michael Jordan. They were mesmerized by his talen, agility, and record shattering perseverance. Yet with all the money he made, the fame he recieved, the charitites he spported, and the advances he made for his sport, it's important to remember that he built his career on a solid foundation of a college education" (qtd. in Carlile and Hensley 36).

The End

Finally, end with a lingering thought or bang that reaches a logical close to the paper/speech.

Sometimes it can be a “call to action” inviting the audience to make a change or think about something deeper. This is often used in persuasive essays/speeches.