Narrative Skillz20 Questions

Where to begin?Do I need a conflict?

Reflections in a narrative?

Guide to 20 Questions

• Participate by answering and asking questions! • Take notes on important concepts, or write

examples!!!!!!!• You may use old notes to help you. Let’s practice -• Question 1: What is narrative writing?

Distinguish it from other types of writing!Answer: Narrative writing is…Writing that tells a specific story!

Question 2: Where should I begin my narrative?

Questions• It’s important to answer

these questions before you begin.

• 3. What is the main topic of the story?

• 4. Who is the main character of the story?

• 5. What is the theme of my story?

• 6. What moment in the story will draw readers in?

Question 7: Which is your favorite example of a beginning?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db5rRtOExbA

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGt_0SZoisM

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJlmYh27MHg

• Question 8: Which one made you want to know what happens next most?

• Question 9: Why?• Question 10: Which was your least favorite?

Question 11: Which do you do?

Opening Do’s• Begin with imagery, action,

meaningful dialogue, etc.• Focus on the main

characters only• Use author’s craft• Introduce the main idea

quickly • Start with something

specific and focus on one story

• Introduce a conflict

Opening Don’ts • Do not begin well before

the main event• Do not begin with waking

up • Do not begin with traveling • Do not wait to get to the

main idea• Do not focus on

unnecessary details• Do not write vaguely about

multiple events

Question 12:

• What are your personal goals with the next opening you write?

• Question 13: Will you practice a quick opening sentence to a story about the last time you helped someone with something important? (Make it up if you can’t think of anything.)

• Ex. Paper and books were strewn all over the floor as the binder fell spectacularly from the rushing student’s arms.

Question 14: Do you really have to have a reflection in a narrative?

Answer: Yes, and here’s why…• While narratives are stories

and part of the joy of stories is simply telling a story, the best stories not only tell an interesting story they also have a deeper meaning.

• In a personal narrative, the reflection provides the reader a direct insight into the story’s deeper meaning.

• This way they’re more likely to remember the lesson!

Do’s for a reflection• Include a brief final

paragraph (this connects to the resolution of the plot mountain)

• Use author’s craft to explain how the story has affected the rest of your life/will affect your future

• Connect your story to the world in general/another famous story, etc.

Conflict Questions

• Question 15: What is a conflict?• A fight, challenge, obstacle, disagreement, etc.

that the main character encounters• Question 16: Should my story have a conflict?• Yes! People find stories more compelling when

there is some difficulty to be overcome. This also helps make the theme of the story clearer as it almost always connects to the outcome of the conflict.

Author’s Craft

Questions• 17. Should I use author’s

craft? • Yes! As much as possible.

• 18. What types of author’s craft should I use in my essay?

• A great variety!

• 19. Why use author’s craft? • It expands your and the

reader’s minds!

Examples• You should absolutely use

lots of IMAGERY: the five senses.

• Try to use metaphors, similes, personification.

• Dialogue is a great storytelling device.

20. Should I write about one specific story or multiple different things?

•ONE!• You should choose one story and one story only

to focus on! We only have one page to write, so write what you want to be as specific as possible with that space.

• Bonus: Write a story that makes you happy =)