Karen S. Wright

Everyone likes a good story. . . .

• We go to movies.

•We read books.

•We listen as others tell their stories.

•We tell our children stories.

•We tell our friends “what happened last weekend.”

Sometimes when we hear or tell a story we ask, “What was the purpose?”

•When we write, ask—What is the purpose?

•Entertain

•Inform

•Instruct

•Persuade

A brief narration = can also be called, an anecdote.

Sometimes we use anecdotes

• To make a point

•To draw a picture

•To produce an emotional response

•To emphasize a point

Ask yourself:

What is my point?

What is my purpose?

Who is my audience

Who How

What When

Where Why

Select narrative details carefully, making sure all pieces fit together.

•Avoid boring detail .

•Carefully choose which questions to answer (who, what, when, where, why, and how).

Arrange details in chronological order.

Topic Selection:

Pick a story you want to tell for a reason.

• To entertain

• To express feelings

• To relate experience

• To inform

• To persuade

1. The Point: Write out a statement on the point of the narration.

2. Generate Ideas: Answer who, what, when, where, why, and how questions.

3. Paint a picture with words.

4. Write

5. Revise

6. Proofread

7. Submit