Suggestions:
Lesson on Story Writing
Goal: After this lesson, you should know how to write a fun and exciting story! This is just like the stories you read, but you get to make them up!
I. What is a Story?
A story is something you tell about something that happened. It can be about a fun adventure you had at the zoo, a silly dream you had, or even a magical journey with unicorns and dragons. When we write down our stories, we call them “narrative essays” which is just a big fancy word for stories.
II. Parts of a Story
Stories have parts to them, just like a sandwich:
- Beginning: This is like the bread on top of your sandwich. It’s where you start your story. You tell everyone who is in your story and where it happens.
- Middle: This is like the stuff in the middle of your sandwich, like the cheese or peanut butter. This is the biggest part of your story. Here, you tell us what happens in your adventure.
- End: This is like the bread at the bottom of your sandwich. It’s where you finish your story. You tell us how everything worked out in the end.
III. Why We Write Stories
We write stories to share fun or important things that happened to us. We also write stories to make people laugh, think, or learn something new.
IV. How to Write a Great Story
Here are some ways to make your story really good:
- Pick a Fun Topic: Think about what your story will be about. Make sure it’s something you like!
- Use Colorful Words: Try to describe things really well in your story. Instead of saying “the dog,” you could say, “the big, furry, playful dog.”
- Add Talking: You can make your characters talk to each other. This makes your story more fun to read!
- Tell it Like You: Since this is your story, you can use words like “I” and “me” to tell it.
- Make Sure it Makes Sense: The things in your story should happen in order. First this, then that.
- Show, Don’t Just Tell: Instead of just telling us “Billy was happy,” you could show us by saying, “Billy jumped up and down with a big smile on his face.”
- Check Your Work: After you finish writing your story, read it again to make sure everything is perfect.
V. Practice
Now, it’s your turn to write a story. Think about an adventure you’d like to share and write it down. Make sure to use fun words, add some talking, and have a clear beginning, middle, and end.
VI. Review
We learned about stories, how they’re like a sandwich with a beginning, middle, and end, and how to write a fun and exciting one. Remember, the best stories come from your own ideas and imagination!
Now, go ahead and write your story. Have fun!
Suggestions:
Lesson on Narrative Essays
Objective: By the end of this lesson, you should be able to understand what narrative essays are, their structure, purpose, and how to write a compelling narrative essay with useful tips and tricks.
I. Introduction
A narrative essay is a type of writing that requires you to tell a story. The story could be real, or it could be made up, but it must involve some personal experience or insight. It’s an opportunity to express your feelings and thoughts in a creative and captivating way. It includes all the components of a good storytelling like characters, plot, setting, climax, and end.
II. Structure of a Narrative Essay
Like other types of essays, the narrative essay has a structure:
- Introduction: This is where you catch the reader’s attention and introduce the setting and characters.
- Main Body: This is the heart of your essay. Here, you narrate the story, using a clear and logical sequence. The main body usually contains a few paragraphs, each outlining different stages of the story.
- Conclusion: This is where you wrap up the story and summarize the overall experience. It should create a lasting impression and illustrate the point of telling this particular story.
III. Purpose of a Narrative Essay
The purpose of a narrative essay goes beyond merely telling a story. It’s also about making a point or expressing an idea. By sharing personal experiences, you’re giving the readers a chance to draw their own conclusions, making it a profound tool for learning and inspiring.
IV. Tips and Tricks for Writing a Narrative Essay
Here are some tips and tricks to make your narrative essay stand out:
- Choose a Good Topic: The topic of your narrative essay should be interesting, not just to you, but to your reader as well. It should be a story that you’re excited to tell and that you believe will captivate your readers.
- Use Descriptive Language: The goal of a narrative essay is to create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. To do this, you’ll need to use descriptive language, engaging all five senses.
- Include Dialogue: Including dialogue can make your story more realistic and engaging. Remember to format and punctuate it correctly.
- Write from a Clear Point of View: Typically, narrative essays are written in the first person (“I”). This makes it easier to express personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
- Follow a Logical Order: Make sure your story has a clear sequence of events that makes sense to the reader. Use transitional words and phrases to guide your reader through the story.
- Show, Don’t Tell: This is a classic advice in writing. Instead of telling the reader what happened, show them by describing the situation, actions, or reactions in detail.
- Revise and Edit: Like any other writing, revising and editing is crucial for a narrative essay. Proofread your essay for grammatical errors, and make sure the story flows smoothly.
V. Practice
Now that you have an understanding of narrative essays and how to write them, your next step is to practice. Pick a personal experience or a story and try writing it in a narrative essay format. Remember to use descriptive language, include dialogue where necessary, and ensure your story has a logical flow.
VI. Review
Today we learned about narrative essays, their structure, purpose, and how to write them effectively. Remember, a good narrative essay tells a compelling story, involves personal experiences or insights, and leaves the reader with something to think about.
So, keep practicing, and happy writing!
