Personal Narrative Vocabulary 1
The words two or more characters speak; they are always within quotation marks (" ").
Dialogue
Examples may include: - additionally - afterward - once we had gone to sleep
Sequencing words or transitions
The main message of a story is created by these. They should be unique and focused on one event.
Ideas
The mechanical correctness of a piece of writing, including spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar/usage, and paragraphing
Conventions
"My knees were shaking, my heart was racing, and my breathing was rapid."
What technique is used in this beginning of a narrative?
Starting in the middle of the action
Expressions that are not literally true but help the reader picture ordinary things in new ways (e.g. metaphor, simile, personification)
Figurative language
Personal narratives are most often told from this point of view.
First person point of view
The personality that shines through characters (including the author) in a piece of writing. It allows the reader to "hear" the narrator and other characters.
Voice
-Sentences begin in a variety of ways.
-The sentence structure and length vary.
-The sentences flow naturally as they are read.
-No illogical elements or sequence gaps
(Sentence) fluency
"I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go, or even exactly what I wanted to do, but I realized I wanted to reach for something more. I realized I needed to grow up." (This is a good example of this part of a personal narrative.)
Reflective conclusion
(where you share what was learned or how you've changed)
Very important words or phrases that connect one idea to the next or show a change in time, location, or subject.
Sequencing words/transitions
Her eyes twinkled like the stars in the night. This is an example of what? (A comparison using "like")
Simile
The structure and format of the writing; the logical sequence of ideas.
A catchy beginning, a middle, and a satisfying end.
Organization
The purpose of combining voice, word choice, dialogue and the actions of a person in the story to make him/her unique and interesting.
Character
"He made an attempt to maintain a hunter's attitude and fiercely drove pellet after pellet into the injured bird. "
The author used strong ____ in employing the words *maintain, *drove, and *fiercely.
Word choice
The perspective from which a story is told - 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.
Point of view
"The clouds are puffs of cotton in the sky."
This is an example of what? (A comparison that does not use "like")
Metaphor
Selecting words carefully to give precise descriptions and to create a certain mood while entertaining the reader.
Accurate use of every day words, vivid and precise verbs, nouns, and adjectives.
Word choice
What is the organizational format of a personal narrative?
Beginning, middle, and end
"As we went in to the woods we began to find some animals and birds to use as targets, but try as we might, we could not hit anything."
The author incorporated ______at the beginning of this sentence.
Sequencing words/transitions
"I cannot believe Sally Jane did that." (What is this an example of?)
Dialogue
After about 4 years in the bathroom, my sister finally came out wearing all of the make up in the CVS cosmetic aisle.
Hyperbole
How pleasing a piece of writing is to the eye:
The writing has:
-clear, easily readable font
-even spacing between sentences
-indented paragraphs.
Presentation
A simple resource you can use to enhance your word choice.
Instead of said, use "sang"....
Dictionary
"I started the presentation with a jolt, making clear the enthusiasm in my voice."
What point of view is this? How can you tell?
First person uses "I"