A, B, C WORKSHOP

It’s fairly obvious to say that how the narrator tells the story affects the tone and mood. In terms of organization, the narrative mode has a very broad range of the ways it can be told. Sensibly, the most obvious is chronological order. However, creatively speaking, it is not always the most effective way. Students are also very familiar with techniques such as flashbacks/forwards used throughout the story or starting where the story ends in a circular method. But there is no “right way.”

However, we all can agree that “grabbing the reader” is still necessary.

Narrative Organization

OPENING GRABBER (LEADS) IDEAS:

Statement

Action

Imagery

Dialogue Lead

Narrative Organization: LEADS

Narrative Organization: LEADS STATEMENT: start with meaningful, reflective narration or statements

(Example: Most kids approach their first day of school with nervousness. I was no different…)

ACTION: jump into the action of the story. (Example: I began falling, rapidly falling.)

*Consider breaking chronological order (maybe by telling the outcome right away) so include an appropriate transition sentence at end of paragraph one: It was then that I… / I remember this clearly because…/I remember my mom calling out…/ I always look back on this moment because…/This incident began my…)

IMAGERY: the sensory details to put the reader there

*Be careful as this requires careful planning and solid use of transitions

DIALOGUE: jump into dialogue that is attention getting

(Examples: “What did you say?”/ “Watch out!” /”Did you find it yet?”)