PersonalPersonalNarrativeNarrative

Writing that is about a person’s Writing that is about a person’s personal experiences personal experiences written by that personwritten by that person

Elements of a Personal NarrativeElements of a Personal NarrativeYou will probably use several, but not all of You will probably use several, but not all of these elements in your personal metaphor these elements in your personal metaphor paper.paper.

Point of ViewPoint of View Strong LeadStrong Lead Character and SettingCharacter and Setting ConflictConflict Dialogue and BlockingDialogue and Blocking Interior MonologueInterior Monologue Show Don’t TellShow Don’t Tell Strong ConclusionStrong Conclusion

Point of ViewPoint of View

Personal narratives are written in Personal narratives are written in first first personperson point of view. point of view.

The narrator is a character in the story.The narrator is a character in the story. First person pronounsFirst person pronouns are used to are used to

indicate the writer is telling the story from indicate the writer is telling the story from his/her point of view.his/her point of view.

Strong LeadsStrong Leads

A strong lead immediately grabs the reader’s A strong lead immediately grabs the reader’s attention by being out of the ordinary and attention by being out of the ordinary and exceptionally interesting.exceptionally interesting.

Strong lead ideasStrong lead ideas Short, arresting sentenceShort, arresting sentence Astonishing or shocking statement or scenarioAstonishing or shocking statement or scenario Exciting direct quotationsExciting direct quotations FlashbackFlashback Inspiring and philosophical ideasInspiring and philosophical ideas

ANY COMBINATION OF THE ABOVEANY COMBINATION OF THE ABOVE

Character and SettingCharacter and SettingA good narrative develops character and A good narrative develops character and setting. setting.

Character DescriptionCharacter Description Physical appearancePhysical appearance Personality traitsPersonality traits

Directly statedDirectly stated Shown through actions and wordsShown through actions and words

Setting DescriptionSetting Description Elaborate description of placeElaborate description of place

Imagery - sights, sounds, smells, touch, tasteImagery - sights, sounds, smells, touch, taste TimeTime

ConflictConflictYour paper will include some, but perhaps not Your paper will include some, but perhaps not all aspects of conflict as defined here.all aspects of conflict as defined here.

The problem around which the narrative The problem around which the narrative revolves is called the conflict.revolves is called the conflict.

A good personal narrative cleverly A good personal narrative cleverly introduces the conflict, excitingly introduces the conflict, excitingly develops it, and meaningfully resolves develops it, and meaningfully resolves the conflict in the end.the conflict in the end.

Dialogue and BlockingDialogue and Blocking

Dialogue is when characters in the narrative Dialogue is when characters in the narrative speak aloud to one another.speak aloud to one another.

Dialogue should develop characters by giving Dialogue should develop characters by giving clues about their personalities and feelings.clues about their personalities and feelings.

There are specific rules for writing dialogue.There are specific rules for writing dialogue. Blocking is words that physically situate or Blocking is words that physically situate or

describe what the speaker is doing as he/she describe what the speaker is doing as he/she speaks.speaks. ““Stop!” he shouted while angrily pounding his fists Stop!” he shouted while angrily pounding his fists

on the table.on the table.

Interior MonologueInterior Monologue

Interior monologue tells what the Interior monologue tells what the character is thinking and feeling inside character is thinking and feeling inside his/her head.his/her head.

It helps the reader discover more It helps the reader discover more information about the character.information about the character.

It is often written in It is often written in italicsitalics..

Show Don’t TellShow Don’t Tell

A good narrative develops the conflict and A good narrative develops the conflict and story through the use of vivid, descriptive story through the use of vivid, descriptive language.language. He was tall. He was tall. (telling - how boring!) His shadow loomed over my head, covering me His shadow loomed over my head, covering me

in darkness. in darkness. (showing - yay! (showing - yay! ))

Figures of speech such as simile, metaphor, Figures of speech such as simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole are great ways personification, and hyperbole are great ways to “show not tell.”to “show not tell.”

Strong ConclusionStrong Conclusion

A personal narrative ends with a personal A personal narrative ends with a personal revelation.revelation.

A revelation is a big idea—an important A revelation is a big idea—an important or life-changing realization based on the or life-changing realization based on the narrative experience.narrative experience.

This revelation is often stated directly, but This revelation is often stated directly, but can be cleverly alluded to.can be cleverly alluded to.

Analyzing Personal Analyzing Personal NarrativesNarratives

In the model narratives, find and analysis In the model narratives, find and analysis examples of:examples of: Strong LeadsStrong Leads Character and Setting DevelopmentCharacter and Setting Development ConflictConflict Dialogue and BlockingDialogue and Blocking Interior MonologueInterior Monologue Showing Not TellingShowing Not Telling Strong ConclusionsStrong Conclusions

BE READY TO SHOW AND DISCUSS!BE READY TO SHOW AND DISCUSS!