Karen S. Wright

Everyone likes a good story. . . .

• We go to movies.

•We read books.

•We listen as others tell their stories.

•We tell our children stories.

•We tell our friends “what happened last weekend.”

Sometimes when we hear or tell a story we ask, “What was the purpose?”

•When we write, ask—What is the purpose?

•Entertain

•Inform

•Instruct

•Persuade

A brief narration = can also be called, an anecdote.

Sometimes we use anecdotes

• To make a point

•To draw a picture

•To produce an emotional response

•To emphasize a point

Ask yourself:

What is my point?

What is my purpose?

Who is my audience

Who How

What When

Where Why

Select narrative details carefully, making sure all pieces fit together.

•Avoid boring detail .

•Carefully choose which questions to answer (who, what, when, where, why, and how).

•Arrange details in chronological order.

•Perhaps use in medias res or a flashback.

Which sentence is more interesting?

A. “Why Schwartz, what seems to be troubling you?” I asked with irony, vigorously working the salt shaker.

B. In an ironic manner I asked Schwartz what was troubling him, while I vigorously worked the salt shaker.

1.“Most people overestimate their ability to handle threatening situations,” the police officer explained.

2.“How will price controls affect foreign trade?” the senator asked.

1.The police officer explained, “Most people overestimate their ability to handle threatening situations.”

2. The senator asked, “How will the price controls affect foreign trade?”

1.Most people,” the police officer explained, “ overestimate their ability to handle threatening situations.”

2.Most people overestimate their ability to handle threatening situations,” the police officer explained. “They mistakenly believe they can talk themselves out of danger.

1.Topic Selection:

Pick a story you want to tell for a reason.

• To entertain

• To express feelings

• To relate experience

• To inform

• To persuade

1. The Point: Write out a statement on the point of the narration.

2. Generate Ideas: Answer who, what, when, where, why, and how questions.

3. Paint a picture with words.

4. Write

5. Revise

6. Proofread