The Personal Narrative

The Personal Narrative Mr. Czarnecki Freshman English

Then and Now • So far, we’ve focused on some of the tools to write effective creative nonfiction, including: • Imagery • Description • Characterization • Dialogue • Now it’s time to look at a specific genre of creative nonfiction, the personal narrative.

The Personal Narrative • Recap: Look back in your notes. What does the “personal narrative” seek to do? • Personal narrative: focuses on a single, significant event or memory that connects to a part of the writer’s identity. • Before starting out, the writer must do two things: • Choose an event or memory • Decide what about his/her identity will be communicated known as the writer’s purpose

“Silk Parachute” by John McPhee • Now that we know what a writer is thinking when s/he sits down to write a personal narrative, let’s apply it. • As we read, actively highlight and make notes in the margin. • Your goal is to answer the following: • What was the author’s purpose in writing this piece? • And how did he go about achieving it?

“Silk Parachute” by John McPhee • What’s the narrative about? • How does McPhee achieve this?

Diving Into the “How” • The Hook: One, two, MAYBE three sentences at the beginning of an essay that engages the reader while at the same time clues him into what the essay will be about. • Flashback/flash-forward: A narrative technique that allows a writer to present past or future events during current events, in order to provide background for or insight into the results of the current narration. • Reflection: A technique in which the writer comes through to comment on what happened often conveying insight into his/her thoughts. • The Closing: brings the narrative to an end in a way that makes the piece feel complete while hinting at what the take away should be. • Nearly all personal narratives have the same Four elements: • A Hook • Flashback/Flash-forward • Reflection (the dual narrator) • A Closing (not to be confused with a conclusion in an analytical essay) • Each element should be connected with, and never stray from, the writer’s purpose.

“Silk Parachute” by John McPhee • What’s the hook? • Where is an effective flashback? Flash-forward? • Where does the author use reflection? • What is the close?

Let’s Get Started • Step 1: Make a list of 10 things of which you’re a master. Include talents, skills, hobbies, qualities of character. 10 things that you’re good at. (5 minutes) • Step 2: Choose a mastery that appeals and free-write about it. Describe how to do it, when you learned it, what you accomplish, where you do it – whatever comes to mind. (10 minutes) • Step 3: On a new sheet, write about a person connected with this mastery. Maybe it’s the person who taught you how to do it, someone you’ve done it for, or someone who discouraged you from doing it. Include details that capture the person’s personality or mannerisms.

Let’s Get Started • Step 4: On a new sheet, write about a particular scene or event that involves your mastery and/or your person. Look for opportunities to add dialogue, description, and setting. (Finish for HW. Bring in typed, double-spaced draft)

Writing Effective Reflection • Remember our discussion of This Boy’s Life concerning the two different versions of the main character. • Version 1: The adult, more mature, narrator looking back on the events of his childhood. • Version 2: The child, Jack, being written about and being reflected upon. • Narration vs. Reflection • Narration is the telling of the events that happened • Reflection is the narrator’s thoughts on what’s being narrated • TBL passage: As we read this section, underline or highlight the reflection on the next slide.

I was standing on the road with two other boys, my news bag still heavy with papers, when I saw him coming toward us with his little dog Pepper. The three of us started making cracks about him. His name was Arthur Gayle and he was the uncoolest boy in the sixth grade, maybe even the whole camp. Arthur was a sissy...He walked like girl, ran like a girl, and threw like a girl. Arthur was my father’s name, so that seemed okay to me, but the name Gayle implicated him further into sissyhood... Arthur was testy with me. He seemed to want something. At times I caught him looking at me expectantly, as if I were holding out on him. And I was. All my life I have recognized almost at a glance those who were meant to be my friends, and they have recognized me. Arthur was one of these. I liked him. I liked his acid wit and the wild stories he told and his apparent indifference to what other people thought about him. But I had withheld my friendship, because I was afraid of what it would cost me. - This Boy’s Life, 107-108

Writing Effective Reflection • Reflection is an essential element of the personal narrative, but there are mistakes to avoid. • The Eureka! paragraph • The thesis • The black of exposition

Reflection • What to avoid

Writing Effective Reflection • Instead, think about your purpose. What moments in your narrative do you need to reflect upon or explain to convey your message? • There is an art to this and it is not easy, so be open to your groups suggestions about adding, removing, or developing your reflection.

The Personal Narrative