Embedded Assessment 1.1
Pretend that you have interviewed the main character in your novel regarding the “coming of age” incident. Your job is to retell the character’s story in the form of an interview narrative of three to four paragraphs. Use “Bethany, only looking ahead” in Springboard as an example. You must include indirect and direct quotes in the narrative. Due Date : Oct. 21, 2013.
1. The Interview
a. Focus on the incident providing the most obvious “coming of age” value for the story.
b. Use imagery and descriptive passages to assure an engaging write-up.
c. Develop your coming of age theme by analyzing the story.
d. Use your character worksheet to focus on diction, syntax, and tone of the main character. Find words and phrases that your character uses often in the novel.
2. Review your notes (worksheets) to determine the strengths and weaknesses in your material. Make sure that you have enough information to tell your story.
3. Convert all material into a story (narrative account). Also be certain to add a sense of purpose and/or a moral judgment (your coming of age spin) at the end.
a. Using imagery construct a detailed description of the main character.
b. Focus on the character’s central role in this experience and its life lesson.
c. Explore the emotions, attitudes, and feelings of your character during all phases of this coming of age experience – especially its aftermath.
d. Capture the speaker’s voice through indirect and direct quotes and other devices throughout the body of this work.
4. Drafting: this work is now ready to be turned into a three to four paragraph narrative.
a. The Introduction (Paragraph one) features a description of the character and establishes the problem.
b. Main body (paragraphs 2-3) reveals your main character/protagonist’s experience/conflict in story format.
Elaborate – offer support in the form of details, facts, and quotes to add depth and realism
Imagery - include vivid word pictures to build interest and impact
Formal diction – word choice selected for their power and impact
Direct and indirect quotes – basis of establishing the character’s voice
c. Conclusion (paragraph 3-4) focuses on the episode’s benefit to the main character/protagonist and may be interpreted as a well-intended warning to the writer/narrator or audience.
Outcome – character’s response to the story’s challenge/obstacle could look like: inner growth, increased sense of self-responsibility, added maturity, self-awareness, etc.
Personalize - establish that this life lesson is instructive/usable without “I”.
Generalize – global statement about life raised by this experience
5. Writing process: In this final phase, writers are duty bound to edit their product for quality and errors.
a. Check for accurate, vivid descriptions: setting, protagonist, incident, etc.
b. Assure that there is strong voice( narrator’s, direct and indirect quotes)
c. Review punctuation and capitalization for errors – especially those involving quotations.
d. All conventions must be addressed: spelling, grammar, etc. Final draft form – blue or black ink or word processed.