SAVE
The
Narrative Task-
The Survival Guide
Revised 3/2016
This year The Narrative Task may be a bit different from the tasks you have done in the past. Instead of being given a picture or a brief prompt to start your writing process, you will be given a text to read. The reading material may be fiction or non- fiction. The directions will provide guidance for you to follow as a writer. You may be asked to write a narrative using the characters/ events in the sample text. You may be asked to write the next scene of the story, the ending of the story, rewrite the scene from a new perspective, write the diary or journal entry of a set character, or write a story based on information given in a nonfiction article.
Table of Contents-
Notes for success p. 2
Basic outline & suggested sign post use p. 3
Check list- Use before submitting final draft p. 5-6
Graphic Organizers p 7-8
Student Sample (to revise) p 9-10
Student Sample (complete) p 11-12
Image Grammar p 13-14
For grading/ evaluating---
See pdf excerpt of Banish Boring Words – posted on website
See pdf excerpt of Denville Schools grading rubric—posted on website
IMPORTANT notes for successful writing-
- Brainstorm using a plot chart (Fill in the parts given from the original text so you know which parts of the story you need to create.)
- Annotate the original text you are given with the prompt. Use the prompt to help you focus your notes. You will most likely have to identify character traits, character motives or character perspectives, the setting, and identify tone of the example piece. Include character thoughts and reactions to events. If a conflict is given, make note of this too!
- Make the main character(s) round and dynamic. (This means that you make them learn a lesson throughout the story and change accordingly to reflect that they learned the lesson.)
- SHOW, DON’T TELL-- Use at least 5 examples of figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification) or imagery (writing that appeals to the 5 senses. Using Image Grammar techniques are highly recommended. Add Fiction signposts where possible! (epiphany, motif, contrast & contradiction, tough questions, memory moment, words of the wiser)
- Use dialogue effectively. (Make the conversations important to the plot. They should reveal information about the character. --- Again- Show and don’t tell!) Indent each time a different character speaks!
- Use at least 3 vocabulary words from the Sadlier vocab. book.
- Banish boring words! (Use at least 4 non-boring words from the lists provided.)
- Write 1.5 – 2 full pages.
- Write in the format stated in the prompt (ex.- journal entry, story, new perspective…). Be certain that your response extends the original text as requested by the prompt AND is an original story (has all the elements of plot.)
Basic Outline of a Narrative Prompt
Exposition- When, where, who & background information needed to understand the setting & conflict Sign post- contrast & contradiction may work well here!
Conflict- The main problem of the story. It would be a good idea to “draw out” the scene where the conflict is presented using dialogue, body language, and details from the setting that may foreshadow future events (ex.- long shadows or a storm may indicate that is trouble brewing) Sign post contrast & contradiction might work well here!
Rising Action- Development of problem. Create about 3 detailed scenes in which the conflict grows. Sign posts- motif, words of the wiser, tough questions, flashback may work well here!
Climax – When the solution to the conflict is realized. Make this an epiphany for the main character. Again, it would be a good idea to “draw out” the scene where the conflict is presented using dialogue, body language, and details from the setting that may foreshadow future events (ex.- the long shadows or a storm that were used earlier may be gone now. It could be midday or the weather is clearing.)
Falling Action- Create at least 2 detailed scenes where events seem to be returning to normal for the main characters. Sign posts- flashback and contrast & contradiction may work here!
Resolution- Create a final detailed scene to show the ending of the story. Sign posts flashback and words of the wiser may work well here.
REMEMBER-- Write 1.5- 2 full pages.
Write in the format stated in the prompt (ex.- journal entry, story, new perspective…). Be certain that your response extends the original text as requested by the prompt AND is an original story (has all the elements of plot.)
Narrative Writing Checklist( Use before submitting final draft )
1.______Is the story complete? Does it have a beginning, middle, and end? Does it have a plot? (Write the conflict and climax below). Is this an original story—not the natural continuation of the original- yet related as dictated by the prompt?)
Conflict-
Climax-
2.______Does the story make sense? (Write a 3 sentence summary of the story.)
3.______Does the story use many examples of good vocabulary? (Required- three Sadlier vocab. words and 4 non-boring words? Write the words below.)
Sadlier 1. Non boring words- 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4.
4. ______Does the story have purposeful dialogue that moves the story along? (A. Cite 3 examples of dialogue that shows rather than tells. B. Explain how each example of dialogue shows and doesn’t just tell.)
1.A.
1 B. Explanation of example 1
------
2.A.
2.B. Explanation of example 2
------
3. A.
3.B. Explanation of example 3
4.______Does the main character learn a lesson? What is the lesson? How is it learned? How does the reader see the character has changed as a result of learning the lesson? Explain below.
Lesson-
How it is learned-
Changes in character as a result of learning lesson-
5. ______Is there a theme present? Write the theme and discuss how it is shown. (It should be shown at least three times with the story—the theme may be the same as the lesson.)
Theme-
Shown in the beginning when…
Shown in the middle when…
Shown at the end when…
6. ______Does the main character’s motivation/ traits/ perspective remain true to the example piece? Cite three examples of this from the original and explain how they are mirrored in your essay.
7. ______Does the story use 5 examples of figurative language or imagery? List the techniques used & examples from the essay. (GRADE 8 – see specifications on page 4.)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
8.______Does the story have a title? (optional)
9.______Has the story been edited for spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and usage errors? What errors may still exist because it is your area of weakness?
Plot Chart- Graphic Organizer -- (Don’t forget to use sign posts!)
Remember to create 3 rising action scene and 2 falling action scenes. Don’t forget—the climax is where the solution to the climax is obvious.
Plot Graphic Organizer (a second version)
Exposition- setting and characters—include background knowledge to set the stage for the conflict.-(Don’t forget to use sign posts!)
SETTING-
CHARACTERS-
BACKGROUND INFO-
Conflict- The main problem of the story (Don’t forget to use sign posts!)
PROBLEM-
Rising Action- tension that builds as a result of the conflict. (The situation gets worse.) BE CERTAIN TO BRAINSTORM THREE UNIQUE RISING ACTION EVENTS (Don’t forget to use sign posts!)
1.
2.
3.
Climax- The point where the conflict is just starting to be addressed
HOW THE PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED/BEGINNING OF SOLUTION (Don’t forget to use sign posts!)
Falling action- Events fall into place as a result of the climax. BE CERTAIN TO BRAINSTORM TWO UNIQUE FALLING ACTION EVENTS. (Don’t forget to use sign posts!)
1.
2.
Resolution- how the story ends. (Don’t forget to use sign posts!) Now go back and add IMAGERY/FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE & VOCAB
Student Sample to be revised—
--How would you score this paper? Why? What needs to be added or modified to earn a higher score? Revise the paper.
Endless row of cotton candy blue lockers pass us by like an unmoving crowd waiting for an excuse to move. They are stone faced people waiting for-oh who am I kidding? My brain has run away with in a day dream again. The thoughts I try to think to slow my heart beat are useless. No matter how much I may wish for it, there is no running away, no easy short cut, and there is no way around it. Mrs. Roscoe wants me to skip a grade.
“Ms. Roscoe, I have a question about this whole moving up thing. I don’t know if I can do it. Yes, I prize myself in being above and beyond my classmates, but do you actually think I can skip and entire school year? An entire year?”
As I finish my sentence, I heard the thunderous taping of Ms. Roscoe’s shoes stop.
“Only you can make this decision. I can’t make it for you. Neither can your family, friends, or even best friends.”
It took me a while to process what she said, but when I intended to reply, I opened and closed my mouth much like a goldfish does in its tank. “Oh barnacles,” I thought to myself. “I can’t do this. I’ll end up failing. I don’t want to feel chagrinned or peevish for a second time in a row.” Although I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that I might succeed, I can’t help having these feelings of doubt. A sudden memory from eighth grade flashes in my mind.
“Gwen, you can do number eight on the board,” my teacher announced.
“My math teacher should know I can’t solve that problem,” my inner voice lamented. “It looks like an alien wrote it.” I wanted to parry this question. I simultaneously felt my cheeks burn and my heart race. Everyone was staring at me. I felt my eyes become glassy as silvery tears trickled down my red, hot face.
“Ha! Look everyone! Gwen can’t even solve the problem! What a loser!” chided a classmate.
By now the entire class was laughing. To me they looked like hungry predators ready to swallow me whole. I quickly slipped out of the classroom and ran to the guidance counselor where I poured out my heart.
Shaking my head to rid myself of the memory, I turn once again to face Ms. Roscoe, who didn’t seem to notice my absence in a daydream. “Are you sure you have the right person?” My voice shakes more than I wanted.
“Of course I do”, she confirmed. “What’s eating you? You look like you are about to burst into tears. This is an excellent opportunity. You should be proud of yourself”
“I- I don’t believe some-someone who was al-almost held b-back a year c-could do this,” I stammered.
“Well, if it makes you feel better, I was held back in ninth grade. It was a terribly sticky situation at the time, but I found my way back. Now I run a school. Now is your opportunity to turn things around and skip a grade. I suggest you take this chance and run with it. Now come along, otherwise you will miss a very important class.”
I really did not expect to have my stern-faced high school principal open up to me. However, it was enough to help me calm down. My face quickly cooled and my tears dried. We continued walking down the hall to a noisy classroom.
“ Now class, calm down. Markus, thank you for that comment, but let’s get back to business. Repeat after me, a squared plus b squared equals c squares.”
The voices that answer are deep like a bass and as sweet as a flower.
“Ah, good afternoon, Ms. Roscoe. This must be Gwen. Markus, will you help Gwen get settled. Gwen, that’s Markus right over there. You can sit in the empty chair next to him.” I moved to the designated spot and the boy, Markus, shared his book with me. I noticed that they were working on finding the hypotenuse of a triangle. I knew this! Perhaps moving up a grade would not be bad after all. I smiled at Ms. Roscoe as she left the room. I guess I was going to make a good turn around just like she did.
For grading/ evaluating---
See pdf excerpt of Banish Boring Words – posted on website
See pdf excerpt of Denville Schools grading rubric—posted on website
Student sample- complete
Kino and Juana entered town, surrounded by terrified eyes. No one suspected that they were still alive. Or that they would walk in with a bloody shawl, a baby that has half a head, and a rifle.
“Where is the pearl?”
“What happened to Coyotito?”
Questions were running around town as fast as a cheetah. Hearing all of these questions made Kino realize that this really happened. The pearl is gone. Coyotito was shot. What is he going to do? Kino and Juana soon walked back to their black ashes that was their home. Everything that they had, has fallen apart. People began to circle around them. They took Coyotito and buried him in a cleaned spot where there was no ashes or straw. A gust of wind blew the memory of Coyotito. Kino has to move on, although Coyotito was his first child.
“What are we going to do?” Juana interrogated.
“Juan Thomas.” Kino fiercely remarked.
The crowd left the area as Kino and Juana left to go to Juan Thomas’ house. They soon found the brush hut with dusty yellow straw ceiling and worn out wood as the walls. The different sized shaped stones lead up to the light burgundy door, with bushes surrounding the front walls. Kino knocked lightly on the door, hoping for Apollonia to open the door, since she is sweeter and there will be a high chance of her letting them stay there.