Writing a Personal Narrative about an Important Person
Read the beginning of Joseph's personal narrative. My aunt Sophia is a painter. She started painting when she was a young girl and went to an art school later in life. Now, she makes her living selling her paintings all over the world. When I was in elementary school, a classmate made fun of a drawing I made of a horse. It made me feel like I was a bad artist, so I told myself I would never draw again. I refused to do any artwork, no matter what anyone said. That changed when my family went to visit my Aunt Sophia when I was twelve years old. Which element of a personal narrative would be best for Joseph to include next?
a strong example that shows how Joseph's aunt changed his view of himself as an artist
Which section of a personal narrative needs to include strong examples that demonstrate qualities of the subject?
middle section
George needs to include himself as a character in the narrative.
strong examples that highlight the subject's qualities.
How can a writer best highlight the qualities of the subject in a personal narrative?
Demonstrate the subject's qualities with strong examples.
Which sentence best shows the reader what the narrator's brother is like?
For a whole month, my brother came home every day after school and worked on his college applications.
Read the beginning of George's personal narrative. 1.Sue worked at the local grocery store. 2.She was in charge of stocking the shelves. 3. She had to arrive at work before daylight, so she could work in the food aisles before the first customers arrived. What problem needs to be fixed in George's narrative?
George needs to include himself as a character in the narrative.
Read the first sentences in Dorthea's personal narrative. 1. Jamie and Jeremy are my next door neighbors. 2. They are brother and sister. 3. Everyday, myself walks to school with them. What problem needs to be fixed in Dorthea's narrative?
In sentence 3, Dorthea should identify herself with a different pronoun.
Read the paragraph from a personal narrative. 1. I met Elisa. 2. She was sitting on a blanket with her mom and her sister. 3. I was tossing a softball back-and-forth with some friends. 4. It was a really hot day at the park, and my friends and I were sweating a lot. 5. We went to drink from the fountain, but the water was hot too. 6. Elisa called us over to her blanket and pointed to an ice chest. 7. "Help yourself," she said. 8. When I lifted the lid, the tops of several brightly colored fruit bars came into view. Which is the best revision of sentence 1?
Last summer, I met Elisa.
Read the paragraph from Kevin's personal narrative. 1. When I was in fifth grade, my family became interested in fostering kittens from the local animal shelter. 2. First, we had to fill out an application. 3. Next, we had to attend a workshop on caring for kittens properly. 4. A woman from the shelter came to our house to see if it was a safe environment for kittens. 5. Finally, we were approved. 6. That was an exciting day! What is missing in Kevin's paragraph?
a time relationship between the events in sentences 3 and 4
Read the paragraph from a personal narrative. 1. I remember when Ben first had the idea for a community garden. 2. We were walking home from school past an old abandoned dirt lot. 3. Ben stood and stared through the fence for awhile lost in thought. 4. I thought he was acting strangely. 5. I was walking by the dirt lot again, and there was Ben digging up the dirt with a shovel. What is needed at the beginning of sentence 5?
a time relationship to show the connection between events more clearly
Read Delilah's personal narrative. My cat has been in my family for six years. We adopted her from the animal shelter when she was two years old and I was nine. Her name is Bettie. She is a very kind and loving cat. She always cheers me up when I feel sad. She has taught me a lot about kindness. What would best improve Delilah's narrative?
examples that demonstrate her cat's qualities
Read Richard's personal narrative. Elsie is my best friend. We've lived next door to each other since we were babies. Her mom and my mom are best friends. Elsie is the smartest person I know. The way her brain works amazes me. If there's ever a problem I can't solve, I go to Elsie for advice. She has helped me to think before I react. She has showed me that there are always more solutions to a problem than I think there are. What would best improve Richard's narrative?
strong examples that demonstrate Elsie's qualities
The middle section of a personal narrative needs to include
strong examples that highlight the subject's qualities.
In a personal narrative, the narrator can best highlight the qualities of the subject with
strong examples.
When developing a personal narrative, it is important to include
strong examples.
