Writing a Narrative Application Essay (WHOLE UNIT)

MATCH: some describe our science teacher as (strange) working with rescued animals makes me (happy) looking at our opponents really (scared) me i was (sad) when i didn't make the team

(strange): eccentric (happy): gratified (scared): intimidated (sad): despondent

QUIZ 90%

:))

Which are benefits of turning a written text into a multimedia product? Check all that apply.

A multimedia product can engage an audience visually. A multimedia product can be interactive. A multimedia product can present content in different ways.

Read the reflection from Kara's narrative. 1 Ironically, it is from my much younger—and, I used to think, less wise—brother that I learned the value of being honest even when a lie may seem far more tempting at the time. 2 I knew that what he did that day must have been extremely difficult for him. 3 Yet there he stood, taking responsibility for his actions with not a glimmer of hesitation. 4 It is this determination and resolve to do what is right—even when what is right is not what is easy—that I remembered many years later in college when faced with a similar predicament of my own. Which line would most strengthen the reflection in Kara's essay if it were added after sentence 4?

After unintentionally breaking my roommate's treasured figurine, I squared my shoulders and took responsibility for my actions, much like my little brother had done all those years ago.

Read the excerpt from Dominique's narrative. 1 Tired of waiting for the bus, which was late for the fifth day in a row, I sat leafing through an old magazine I had stuffed in my purse the previous night. 2 It was terribly warm for a September afternoon, and the sun cast transitory shadows on the bus stop sign with each car that passed. 3 I fleetingly wondered when the weather would get cooler and when the new bus driver would start arriving on time. 4 It was about then that I first noticed the apparent agitation of the man sitting next to me. 5 Finally, the bus arrived and ambled to a gradual stop directly in front of the restless man. 6 The doors widened, and the bus driver greeted the man with his usual banter in his usual monotone. 7 "Good afternoon. How are you today?" Which sentence would best create a strong, descriptive image in the reader's mind if it were added after sentence 4?

He was casting quick, sideways glances in the direction the bus should be coming from, and his left foot beat a steady rhythm on the hot pavement.

Which sentences use description that holds the reader's interest? Check all that apply.

I heard the pop and hiss of eggs in a pan coming from the kitchen. As I sped up, the pavement under my feet offered less and less resistance until I felt like I was flying.

Read the paragraph from Nick's personal narrative. Standing alone in my family's barn, I thought about how much hard work and time my parents had invested—how much hard work and time we had all invested—in maintaining a fully operational farm. I did not remember a time when my clothes had not reeked of manure or my hair had not held fast to brittle pieces of straw. What would happen if my parents had to sell the farm so we could move closer to my grandparents? Just as I was attempting to imagine a life in the city, a sudden commotion erupted and interrupted my thoughts. With animals squawking and dust flying, I scrambled to pinpoint the source of this unexpected intrusion. In seconds that felt more like minutes, I was successful . . . and I could scarcely believe what my eyes were seeing. Nick uses chronological order to relate his narrative. What effect does this have on his arrangement of the plot?

It allows Nick to surprise the reader by disrupting the calm setting with unexpected excitement.

Read the paragraph from Lucy's narrative. I could see that my neighbor was struggling with the lone bag of groceries cradled in her arms, but I wasn't sure what I should do. Grandma June—what all the neighborhood kids had called her for as long as I could remember—had always been the one to care for us, to help us build stronger forts, to grow better flowers, and to learn from our mistakes. To ask if she needed help with something as simple as carrying in one bag of groceries would be like shouting to the world that she was aging, that she was no longer as strong as she once had been. Hesitantly, I walked to the wooden gate that divided our front lawn from hers and stood there as the package she was carrying threatened to spill from her arms.

Lucy decides that this may not be the most effective way to tell her story. If she wants to create more suspense in the plot, what would be the best possible change she could make? -She could begin with more stories about Grandma June, allowing suspense to build as the reader wonders why she is talking about Grandma June. (WRONG)

Luisa's teacher has assigned a project that requires students to write a literary analysis essay. Luisa has chosen to analyze her favorite poem. Students must then turn their essay into an animated slideshow that her classmates can watch. How might Luisa use multimedia to make her slideshow engaging? Check all that apply.

Play audio of someone reading the poem. Underline key lines in the poem as they are mentioned. Add pop-up definitions of difficult terms in the poem. Place images that help her classmates visualize the poem.

Read the excerpt from Spencer's narrative. As we waited for our new football coach to enter the locker room, we all secretly wondered what he would be like. Would he be tough but fair? Would he be demanding but understanding? Would he motivate us before each game with a rousing speech the way Coach Jackson always had? These thoughts were abruptly interrupted when our new coach entered the locker room, stood before us, and commanded our attention. "He" was a "she"! Our new coach was a female? Stunned, my mouth gaping, I barely heard what she said to the team next. How does Spencer's use of chronological order affect the plot of his narrative?

Readers are able to share in Spencer's surprise at discovering that his new coach is female because this fact is not revealed at the beginning of the story.

Write a few sentences explaining what you think makes someone a hero.

Sample Response: Heroes are people who improve other people's lives without asking for anything in return. Heroes often make sacrifices for others and may risk their own safety to make the world a better place.

Think about a topic that addresses the prompt. Then, describe your topic, including the subject and a story you may tell.

Sample Response: I am always in a rush to get to my after-school job. One day, my neighbor Amaya drove me there when I worried I would get fired. Since that day, Amaya has always checked up on me to see if I needed help. I know I can count on Amaya. She's a hero to me.

Write a reflection to include in your narrative essay. Be sure to write about how your experience has left a lasting impact, how it has changed your thinking, or how it connects to another area of your life or to the world.

Sample Response: I had seen Mr. Montrose at the park for years, but it wasn't until I learned about Mr. Montrose's past that I began to see him as a hero. I also learned to consider the importance of appreciating people's history. Talking with Mr. Montrose is what inspired me to apply for a position at the VA hospital.

Read this story, which is in chronological order. Last May, I decided to swim a mile without stopping. I knew I would need to be able to do it to join the Coast Guard, so I spent every morning practicing with my father. I thought of giving up many times. "I could be sleeping right now," I would cry out as my muscles ached. One morning, I started to doubt myself, so I imagined swimming to a person in need. Before I knew it, I could hear my dad clapping. I had done it! Write a version of the same story, this time starting the story in the middle.

Sample Response: I thought of giving up many times. "I could be sleeping right now," I would cry out as my muscles ached. Last May, I decided to swim a mile nonstop. I was set on joining the Coast Guard, so I spent every morning practicing with my father. One morning, I started to doubt myself, so I imagined swimming to a person drowning. Before I knew it, I could hear my dad clapping. I had done it!

Write a few lines of dialogue based on this scenario. Chester is heading home after his first day at a new school when he realizes that he left his wallet in his locker. He needs money for a bus ride home. He sees his new classmates nearby.

Sample response: "Excuse me," said Chester as he approached a student he recognized from math class. "My wallet is back in my locker. Any chance I could borrow money for the bus?" "I don't know you," the student said brusquely. "Come on. He's not exactly a stranger," said another classmate as she strolled up. "Here you go. The ride's on me."

Read the excerpt from Spencer's narrative. I could not have been more stunned. "He" was a "she"! Our new football coach was a female. My mind drifted to that day last week. We had all been waiting in the locker room to meet our new coach, secretly wondering what he would be like. Would he be tough but fair? Would he be demanding but understanding? Would he motivate us before each game with a rousing speech the way Coach Jackson always had? These thoughts were abruptly interrupted when our new coach entered the locker room, stood before us, and commanded our attention. Spencer decided to structure his narrative to start at the end. How did this affect his arrangement of the plot?

Spencer had to go back and recount the events that led to that moment.

Write a narrative essay about a person you consider to be a hero. Share an experience that shows what you admire about that person and what impact he or she has had on you. Reread your prompt. Then, use the drop-down menus to identify your topic and purpose.

The topic (what you will write about) is -a person you consider to be a hero The purpose (why you are writing this narrative) is -to tell a story about someone I consider to be a hero

Read the sentence from a personal narrative. My grandfather used to spend hours telling me stories I loved to hear. Which best revises the sentence above to make the writing more precise?

When I was younger, I would spend entire summers on my grandparents' ranch. Every evening after dinner, Grandpa would tell me stories about what life on the ranch had been like for him when he was my age. I appreciated his stories because they let me get to know Grandpa better.

Miguel's teacher has assigned a project that requires students to write a speech about safe driving. Students must then record a video of themselves giving the speech and post the video to a video-sharing platform. Miguel has chosen to explain the dangers of drowsy driving. Which visual aid would best support Miguel's message in his video?

a chart that shows statistics of accidents caused by drowsy driving

Read the paragraph from Lucy's narrative. I could see that my neighbor was struggling with the lone bag of groceries cradled in her arms, but I wasn't sure what I should do. Grandma June—what all the neighborhood kids had called her for as long as I could remember—had always been the one to care for us, to help us build stronger forts, to grow better flowers, and to learn from our mistakes. To ask if she needed help with something as simple as carrying in one bag of groceries would be like shouting to the world that she was aging, that she was no longer as strong as she once had been. Hesitantly, I walked to the wooden gate that divided our front lawn from hers and stood there as the package she was carrying threatened to spill from her arms. Which element of a narrative should Lucy include next to most effectively move the story forward?

a few lines of dialogue between the writer and Grandma June

Luisa's teacher has assigned a project that requires students to write a literary analysis essay. Luisa has chosen to analyze her favorite poem. Students must then turn their essay into an animated slideshow that her classmates can watch. What are some online tools that Luisa could use to share her animated slideshow after the presentation? Check all that apply.

a group email a personal website a video-sharing platform a social media site

Miguel's teacher has assigned a project that requires students to write a speech about safe driving. Students must then record a video of themselves giving the speech and post the video to a video-sharing platform. Which background would be most appropriate for Miguel's video?

a highway with cars at night

Read the paragraph from Nick's personal narrative. Standing alone in my family's barn, I thought about how much hard work and time my parents had invested—how much hard work and time we had all invested—in maintaining a fully operational farm. I did not remember a time when my clothes had not reeked of manure or my hair had not held fast to brittle pieces of straw. What would happen if my parents had to sell the farm so we could move closer to my grandparents? Just as I was attempting to imagine a life in the city, a sudden commotion erupted and interrupted my thoughts. With animals squawking and dust flying, I scrambled to pinpoint the source of this unexpected intrusion. In seconds that felt more like minutes, I was successful . . . and I could scarcely believe what my eyes were seeing. Which element of a personal narrative would be best for Nick to include next?

a precise description of what the writer is witnessing when he says that he "could scarcely believe what [his] eyes were seeing"

Which type of writing would best tell about your experiences with a hero in your life?

an essay that tells a story from a first-person point of view

Miguel's teacher has assigned a project that requires students to write a speech about safe driving. Students must then record a video of themselves giving the speech and post the video to a video-sharing platform. Which elements should Miguel consider when recording his video? Check all that apply.

the timing of the video the clothes he will wear in the video the appearance of the background the appropriateness of visual aids

Luisa's teacher has assigned a project that requires students to write a literary analysis essay. Luisa has chosen to analyze her favorite poem. Students must transform their essay into a digital format that will be presented in front of the class. Which online tool would best help Luisa complete the assignment?

virtual presentation software

Read the concluding reflection from Kyle's essay. My infatuation with reading, ignited in the sixth grade, significantly changed my life. Ultimately, it was from my sixth-grade teacher that I learned the true power that lies between the covers of a book. It wasn't because she demanded we read or because she encouraged us to read or because she explained why we should read. It was because she opened the doors to reading and invited us into fantastic worlds we had never before experienced. Using books as her compass, she led the way, and all we had to do was follow. To revise his reflection and make a stronger statement, Kyle should more clearly explain

what effect reading had on his life