Narrative Writing (SB) - PDF
Narrative Writing (SB) - PDF
4
W 4
riting
Descriptive ✓
Expository ✓
Narrative ✓
Persuasive ✓
N riting
ARRATIVE
W W
by EMILY HUTCHINSON
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NARRATIVE
W riting
riting
4
W riting TITLES
Descriptive Writing
Expository Writing
Narrative Writing
Persuasive Writing
Three Watson
Irvine, CA 92618-2767
Website: www.sdlback.com
ISBN 1-56254-752-6
◗ Can you tell a story so well that your audience is fascinated from
beginning to end?
EXAMPLES: the history of baseball
the world’s worst date
WHO? (Who was involved? Did you see or talk to someone you know personally,
someone you know by reputation, or a stranger? Describe the person.)
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WHAT? (What happened? What did the person say or do? What did you say or do?)
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WHEN? (When did this happen? Describe the time of day.)
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WHERE? (Where were you? Where was the other person? Describe the setting.)
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WHY? (What caused the event? Tell the reasons why the event happened.)
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HOW? (How did you react? How did the other person react? How did the situation
get resolved?) _______________________________________________________________
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Lesson 1—Friendly Letter
B. Now, use the notes you wrote in Part A to help you write a friendly letter.
Because you’re writing to a friend, make sure your tone is friendly, too.
Follow these tips:
• Include details that your friend would understand, appreciate, and enjoy.
• Use the proper form for a friendly letter. Include the date in the upper
right area of the letter. Use a friendly greeting followed by a comma and
a friendly closing followed by a comma.
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(YOUR SIGNATURE)
1. A four-year-old goes to her first professional baseball game with her father.
Daddy and I had fun at the ball game. We cheered for our
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team and ate lots of yummy treats.
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2. A young father takes his four-year-old to her first professional baseball game.
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3. A rookie steps up to the plate for his first at-bat in a professional baseball game.
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5. The outfielder reacts as the ball sails over his head and into the stands.
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B. Now, using your notes from Part A as a guide, retell a story from history.
You may write your story in prose or in poetry. When you are finished,
double-check the sequence of events to make sure you’ve followed chronological
order. In addition, check for completeness. Have you left out anything important?
If so, add it and write a revised version.
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Get together with a group and have a brainstorming session. Jot down as
many story ideas as possible about each of the following subjects.
1. adventure stories
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2. science fiction
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3. sea stories
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5. animal stories
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6. historical fiction
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7. mystery
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8. fantasy
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1. a zebra
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2. a monkey
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3. an alligator
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4. a bear
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5. a cobra
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6. an elephant
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7. a flamingo
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8. a hippo
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9. a koala
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10. a lion
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11. a rhino
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12. a gazelle
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13. a tiger
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14. a camel
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A travelogue is a narrated film about a trip. In the narration that goes along with the
film, the writer makes observations about the people and places being shown. The
observations might include the writer’s own experiences and feelings. They might also
include travel tips for anyone who might want to take the same trip.
6. Describe any special tastes that are associated with the place.
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7. Do you need to wear any type of special clothing here? If so, describe it.
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9. What tips would you give a traveler who planned a visit to this place?
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B. Suppose you have made a video of the place you described. Using your
notes, write a travelogue to accompany it. As you write, ask yourself what
a first-time traveler would want to know. Try to supply information that
would be interesting and useful to a tourist.
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2. What would you enjoy most about this kind of life? __________________________
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3. What special duties or tasks would you have to take care of every day?
List three things.
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5. What would be the best thing about doing this kind of work? ________________
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6. What would be the worst thing about living this life? ________________________
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B. Using the notes you made, write a story about a day in the person’s life.
You may use either a first-person point of view (I am . . .) or a third-person
point of view (he or she is . . .).
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13. ____________________ Catlin began painting he was there for six years he
painted 300 portraits and about 175 landscapes and
ritual scenes.
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книга выложена группой vk.com/englishlibrary NARRATIVE WRITING —21
Lesson
7 “One Thing I’ll Always Remember”
9. a disappointment ________________________________________________________
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WRITING
Lesson 7—“One Thing I’ll Always Remember”
B. Now, choose one of the topics in Part A and develop it into a short memoir.
My topic is ______________________________________________________________.
Before you begin, make a list of words and phrases that might answer each
of the following questions about the topic:
3. Who played a role in this memory? Describe the person or persons. ___________
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Write a first draft of your memoir on the lines below. When you are finished,
exchange papers with a classmate. Critique each other’s work, and then write
a revised version on a separate sheet of paper.
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A. Choose a subject for a biography from the list below, or name anyone you like.
2. What insight into that person’s character will be the focus of your biography?
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3. Will information about the person’s ancestors help your reader understand
your subject? (yes or no) __________ If so, what is that information and how
does it help? ______________________________________________________________
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6. What anecdote might your subject’s best friend tell about him or her?
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B. Now, write a few paragraphs that would be part of your biography. You may
expand on any of the answers you have already given about your subject.
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When you paraphrase, you restate an author’s ideas in different words. The purpose
of paraphrasing is to share information by clarifying the meaning for readers.
Here is an example:
ORIGINAL SENTENCE: A conceited hare boasted loudly about her ability to run fast.
PARAPHRASE: A stuck-up rabbit bragged about how fast she could run.
Read these lines from one version of a famous fable about two travelers and a bear.
Then write a paraphrase of each sentence. The first one has been done as an example:
1. A man and his friend made their way through the forest on a narrow path.
Two men were walking together through the woods on a
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lonely trail.
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5. He had barely reached the first branch when a huge brown bear
pushed aside the bushes and appeared on the path.
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6. Holding onto the tree with both arms, the first traveler refused to
help his frightened companion.
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7. The second traveler, terrified, threw himself on the ground and prepared to die.
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8. The bear lowered its huge head and sniffed at the man, mussing his
hair with his nose.
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9. Then, to the astonishment of both men, the wild animal walked away.
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11. In a wondering tone, he said, “It almost looked as if the bear whispered a
secret into your ear.”
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The unknown plays an important role in every mystery story. Who did it? What was
that strange noise in the night? Will the detective find the scoundrel? Who (or what)
has been pursuing our hero so relentlessly—and why?
As you might guess, mystery writers know the answers to such questions before they
begin writing. As they write, they drop clues to the reader.
An observant reader can sometimes figure out the mystery before finishing the story.
In fact, if the ending is a complete surprise, the writer has not done a good job! After
finishing a mystery, the reader should be able to go back through the story and find
clues that hinted at the solution.
Sylvia was early for her weekly lunch Just as she was getting ready to turn it in at
date with her friend Marcy. In the hotel the lost-and-found desk, an old woman came
lobby where they planned to meet, she sat up and spoke to her.
on a comfortable, deep sofa. She would “Give me back my ring!” the woman said
enjoy the 45 minutes she had to wait by in a gravelly voice.
reading her book. “This ring? Does it belong to you?” asked
When she opened the book, the pencil Sylvia.
she’d been using as a bookmark slipped out. “It belongs to anyone who can handle its
It bounced off her leg and rolled into the crack magic,” the woman said. “If you can’t handle
between the sofa’s arm and cushion. Sylvia it, then give it back to me.”
squeezed her fingers into the crack to retrieve “What are you talking about?” Sylvia
the pencil. She felt something cold and asked.
smooth, like a marble. Pulling it up, she “That is a very unusual ring,” the woman
discovered that it was a pearl ring. She went on. “Why, that ring came from . . .”
examined it, delighted at its beauty.
Now think about how you would solve the mystery. Remember to give the
reader a few hints along the way, so the ending isn’t a complete surprise.
Answer these questions before you actually write the rest of the story.
2. What does she tell Sylvia about the origins of the ring?
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Now, write the rest of the story. Use another sheet of paper if necessary.
When you are finished, make up a catchy title for your story.
“That is a very unusual ring,” the woman went on. “Why, that
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ring came from
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книга выложена группой vk.com/englishlibrary NARRATIVE WRITING —31
Lesson
11 Using Setting as a Springboard
Setting—a story’s time and place—is an important literary element. Details about
setting often determine details about the characters and plot. For example, if a story
is set in the mid-1800s, the characters won’t be using cars or computers. Similarly,
if a story is set in Alaska, the characters won’t be spending time in bathing suits at
the beach.
A. Read the following passages from well-known novels. Then, after each one,
answer the questions about setting.
4. What details suggest that this story takes place in the past? _________________
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FROM THE SADDLEBACK ADAPTATION OF THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE BY STEPHEN CRANE
A cloud of fog rose slowly from the cold earth. Yankees had seen the red gleam of enemy
The rising sun revealed a camp of Union army campfires on a distant hillside. Today, they were
soldiers stretched out on the hills. Last night the hoping for some action.
B. Try your own hand at establishing setting in a paragraph. Use clues about
time and place to help your reader visualize the scene. You may choose from
the following settings, or use an idea of your own.
• a cowboy town of the Old West • Paris in the 1920s
• an African village in 2004 • Los Angeles in 2992
• a California gold-mining town in 1849 • when dinosaurs lived
• a Southern plantation in 1860 • a future emergency room
• a battlefield in World War I • modern New York City
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Good writers make their characters seem like real people. To accomplish this goal, they
often write character descriptions based on actual people. Then, by using adjectives that
appeal to all the senses, writers artfully bring their fictional characters to life.
Notice the adjectives that appeal to your sense of sight and hearing. You can
create characters just as interesting as Lord Jim. How? Develop descriptions
that make it easy for the reader to visualize the character. You might begin by
writing lists of adjectives from which to choose. Try it!
B. Now choose one of the characters from the chart. Write a paragraph describing
the character. Be sure to use some of the adjectives you’ve listed.
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C. Read the character descriptions below. Then build on each description by adding
more detail.
1. Not quite five feet tall, Señora Carlotta had a flat, brown, deeply wrinkled
face framed by a halo of fine, white hair. Her eyes, black and shiny as satin,
flashed with youth and strength. Knotted over her fragile, bony shoulders
was a shabby shawl, which covered her shapeless cotton dress.
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2. Theodore’s mother was a tall blonde woman with whale-gray eyes that
matched her son’s. Her smile was as dazzling as the diamonds that sparkled
on her ears and hands whenever she moved. Her pearl-gray cashmere
sweater and silk skirt matched her elegant shoes perfectly.
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книга выложена группой vk.com/englishlibrary NARRATIVE WRITING —35
Basic Skills Practice
Mechanics: Spelling
Spelling errors always suggest that the writer is careless. To avoid giving this
impression, check a dictionary if you’re not sure of a word’s spelling.
A. Read each pair of words. If both words are spelled correctly, write correct
on the line. If either or both words are spelled incorrectly, rewrite them
correctly on the line.
B. Circle the one misspelled word in each sentence. Write it correctly on the line.
1. The sumit of Mount Everest is 29,035 feet
above sea level. ______________________________
Dialogue is conversation between story characters. The way characters speak and
the words they use make them “real” to the reader. When you write dialogue, you
can reveal a lot about a character’s personality, attitudes, and level of education.
As you read the dialogue in the box to
the right, notice the following points: “I’m having a party on Friday,” Marsha said,
• Quotation marks set off a “and I’d like you to come.”
speaker’s exact words. Jacob looked sadly at Marsha and said,
“I already have plans for Friday. I’m so sorry I’ll
• The first word of a quotation
have to miss the event.”
is capitalized.
“Oh, Jacob, I’m so disappointed,” Marsha
• Each new speaker gets a new replied. “Maybe next time?”
paragraph. “I’ll look forward to it,” Jacob said. “Your
• Words that explain who is speaking parties are always so much fun.”
go outside the quotation marks.
A. Try writing your own dialogue, making sure to use correct form. For ideas,
choose from the suggestions in the box.
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B. Now, write a dialogue to continue the following conversation. You may include
as many characters as you want. Just make sure that each one can be recognized
as a separate voice. Try to reveal differences in your characters by what they say
and how they say it.
Every story has a conflict (problem or struggle) of some kind. Without a conflict, there
is no story. Watching the characters work out that conflict keeps a reader interested. A
story conflict can be between two people, between a person and some outside force,
or within a single character’s mind. Read these examples of conflicts:
Claire spends weekends at her dad’s house, her school assignments. All Jane thinks about is
sharing a room with her stepsister Jane. The keeping up with the latest styles in clothing and
two girls don’t get along at all. Claire is a serious music. Jane thinks Claire is boring, and Claire
student who works hard to stay on top of thinks Jane is empty-headed.
Robert is going to his family’s cabin in falls so heavily that he can’t even open
the mountains for the weekend. He wants the door in the morning! He is snowed
to go skiing. He also plans to stock the in, and he hasn’t had time to buy groceries
cabin with food and other essentials for yet! Robert has only enough food for one
the rest of the winter. But the first night, snow more day.
Gloria has been invited to the wedding anniversary, and Gloria is expected to attend.
of one of her best friends. Unfortunately, Everyone else in the family will be there,
the wedding will take place on the same including relatives who live 3,000 miles away.
day as her grandparents’ 50th wedding Gloria is torn between the wedding and the
anniversary. A big party is planned for the anniversary party.
A. Read the following situations. Decide whether or not each one is a conflict.
Write conflict or no conflict after each situation.
1. Joyce buys a new pair of boots, and Sunny
buys a cool pair of jeans. Later, the two friends
have lunch and admire each other’s purchases. ______________________
B. Now, write your own examples of conflicts. If you like, write about an actual
experience. Perhaps you were once in a dangerous situation or competed
with someone. If not, you may write about an imaginary situation.
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The climax of a story is the point at which the conflict is resolved. All the action in
the story builds toward this moment. The part of a story leading up to the climax is
called the rising action. The part after the climax is called the falling action.
Sometimes a story’s climax is a surprise to the reader. But remember that a story
with a surprise ending should not come as a complete surprise. Hints should appear
somewhere in the story to give the reader clues. The ending has to be consistent
with the characters and how they would act.
A. Read the story above and then answer the following questions:
1. Who is the main character? ______________________________________________
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книга выложена группой vk.com/englishlibrary NARRATIVE WRITING —43
Basic Skills Practice
Vocabulary
A good vocabulary is a basic requirement for good writing. One of the best ways to
increase your vocabulary is by using a dictionary to look up unfamiliar words. Dictionary
entries also include word pronunciations and, often, origins of words. Many dictionaries
also suggest synonyms and antonyms.
A. Use a dictionary to find the meaning of each word. Write the definition on the
first line. Then, use the word in a sentence of your own on the second line.
1. astute ___________________________________________________________________
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2. commodity ______________________________________________________________
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3. effigy____________________________________________________________________
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4. grandiose _______________________________________________________________
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5. inducement _____________________________________________________________
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6. consensus _______________________________________________________________
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7. jargon __________________________________________________________________
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8. oblivious ________________________________________________________________
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9. quire ___________________________________________________________________
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10. expatriate ______________________________________________________________
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11. umbrage _______________________________________________________________
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12. chivalry ________________________________________________________________
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Another tool for improving your vocabulary is a thesaurus. Instead of definitions, word
origins, and pronunciations, a thesaurus lists synonyms for words. In some cases, a
thesaurus will also list antonyms for words.
B. Here are two thesaurus entries for the word increase. Choose eight of the
synonyms given for increase, and write a sentence using each one.
increase n. development, spread, swell, increase v. extend, enlarge, expand, dilate, broaden,
enlargement, expansion, escalation, boost, widen, thicken, deepen, heighten, build, lengthen,
elaboration, swelling, addition, incorporation, magnify, add on, augment, escalate, let out, branch
merger, inflation, heightening, extension, out, further, mark up, sharpen, build up, raise,
dilation, multiplication, deepening, hike, enhance, amplify, reinforce, supplement, annex,
amplification, progression, improvement, double, triple, stretch, multiply, intensify, prolong,
jump, boom. exaggerate, redouble, boost, step up, rev up.
—Ant. reduction, decline, decrease. —Ant. decrease, reduce, abridge.
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8. __________________________________________________________________________
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Tone and mood are related terms. When you write a narrative, your voice expresses a
certain tone, or attitude, toward your subject. Your tone might be formal or informal,
serious or playful. It may be somber, ironic, condescending, intimate, sad, thoughtful, or
one of many other possible attitudes. The writer’s tone creates an overall feeling or
atmosphere in the story.
The following paragraphs are about the same subject—a young person leaving home.
Notice the different tone and mood as you read each paragraph.
A. 1. Write five words from the first paragraph that contribute to the
sorrowful tone.
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2. Write five words of your own that the author could have used to create a
sorrowful tone.
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3. Write five words from the second paragraph that contribute to the joyful tone.
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4. Write five words of your own that the author could have used to create a
joyful tone.
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B. Now, write two paragraphs of your own, using different tones to describe similar
scenes or situations. Ideas for topics and tones are in the box. Choose one topic
and two tones. If you prefer, you may use your own topic and your own ideas for
two different tones.
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Good writing has style. Like style in clothing fashions, writing style expresses a person’s
individuality. Word choice, sentence structure and variety, and rhythm are all part of a
writer’s style. Imagery, emphasis, and arrangement of ideas are also contributing factors.
Both passages are based on the travels of a group of characters. In the first example,
the author emphasizes the surroundings, describing nature in quite poetic terms. In the
second, the author emphasizes what the characters are doing and how they feel about it.
Try your own hand at writing in different styles. Follow the suggestions below.
1. Write a paragraph describing the seasonal changes that take place in nature.
Try to use a poetic style, full of sensory imagery, as in the first example.
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How does an idea for a TV show or movie get from the writer’s brain to the screen?
The process involves a series of steps resulting in a script. A script is the written
version of the idea, complete with directions for camera angles, lighting, and acting.
It might also include descriptions
of sets and costumes. To describe
.
camera shots, writers use ay the money, Andrew
Bertha: He gave aw
abbreviations such as INT., at money?
An dr ew : Who gave away wh
for interior, and EXT., for ve
Be rt ha : The insurance money. William ga
exterior, to show where the
scene takes place. it all away.
ay?
f): No! He gave it aw
Andrew (in disbelie
As you read the example on the u that he made an
Be rt ha: He would tell yo
right, notice the following points: ade it with a man
investment. But he m
have trusted.
• The name of the speaker is even a dog wouldn’t
printed in boldface.
CUT TO:
DROOM, LISTENING
• Actors’ stage directions are printed in INT.--WILLIAM IN BE ne?
italics and enclosed in parentheses. : And the money is go
Andrew (offscreen)
Gone. All of it.
• Camera directions are printed Bertha (offscreen):
in capital letters and set
off from the dialogue.
Write your own scene for a video script. For your scene, choose a memorable day
in your life. It could be winning a game, a family event, or a time you received
good news or bad news. Feel free to make up details and add new characters to
make the scene more interesting.
Before you begin, outline your scene by answering these questions:
1. What happened?
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Begin your video script here. Use additional sheets of paper as necessary
to complete your first draft. Then, trade scripts with a classmate and discuss
different dialogue options for each character. Use another sheet of paper for
your final copy.
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• Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns. They can make ideas clearer
by telling which one, what kind, or how many.
the first contestant a sweet peach fourteen turtles
• Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. They can make
ideas clearer by telling how, when, where, how often, or to what extent.
danced gracefully arrived tonight drove there very sincere
EXAMPLE:
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Now, go back and circle the one title you think should be followed with a
sequel. List the most important characters, and write a brief description of
each one’s personality.
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4. __________________________________________________________________________
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What new characters might be introduced into the sequel? Name and describe them.
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2. _________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________________
B. Now use your imagination to write a summary of a possible sequel. Briefly list
the main events in the continuing story. Mention each character’s participation in
the developing plot. Pretend that you’re trying to get a contract from a publisher
or a film studio. Your goal is to make your sequel seem interesting and exciting
enough for someone else to want to pay for it.
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Many people have what they call a “five-year plan.” That means they picture
where they want to be in five years and then make plans to achieve that goal.
It’s also useful for young people to picture where they will be in 25 years!
4. Will you be a parent? __________ If so, what are your children’s names and how
old are they? ____________________________________________________________
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5. Where will you be living? Describe your residence and tell where it is located.
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7. What about your parents, siblings, and other family members? Describe your
future relationship with them. ____________________________________________
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8. What will your friends be like? Name and describe two friends in your future.
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B. Based on your answers about your future, write two diary entries you might write
in 25 years.
What do you think inanimate objects might say if they could speak? Imagine for a
moment that you are an inanimate object such as a golden ring, an old flag, or a city
street. How would you see the world? What would happen to you from day to day?
What kinds of changes might you see over a very long period of time?
1. What might a dollar bill say about all the places it’s been and the different
people it’s seen?
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4. If you asked a small neighborhood store about its history, what would it say?
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Here’s a list of some transitional words and phrases you can use in your writing.
You might be able to think of many more.
Rewrite each pair of sentences, using a transitional word or phrase to make the
meaning clearer. You may combine the sentences into one or keep them separate.
If you need to, add or change some words to make the sentences flow smoothly.
4. Drafting
After organizing your notes, you can begin a first draft of your
eyewitness account. Follow these tips as you write:
• Use your imagination to add dialogue that is consistent with the facts.
• Does the entire account sound as if it were seen through one person’s eyes?
• Within paragraphs in the body, are all topic sentences clear and
well-supported by details?
6. Give your narrative to a peer and invite him or her to review it.
Offer to do the same for your classmate. By offering and accepting input,
both of you will improve your chances of writing a good story!